Leopold changes spots: Opens doors for all

MUMBAI, June 23: Four days after it barred two Black South African flight stewardesses from its permit room, Colaba's Cafe Leopold has final...

MUMBAI, June 23: Four days after it barred two Black South African flight stewardesses from its permit room, Colaba8217;s Cafe Leopold has finally emerged from its massive 8220;colonial hangover8221; 8211; but with a giant-size headache.

The cafe, frequented by an assortment of foreign nationals, now promises to entertain clients of all hues, irrespective of how tanned they are. The assurance follows blistering media glare, outrage from Mumbaikars and now, a statement from the National Human Rights Commission, which has suo moto asked the Maharashtra government to prepare a report on the incident and submit it by August 4.

8220;We shall definitely allow Blacks or any other community member to enter our bar, but after proper scrutiny,8221; Farhang Jehani, one of the proprietors, told Express Newsline today.

When the incident occurred on June 19, the management had claimed it was their policy not to permit Black clients in the bar 8220;because Black foreigners tend to get drunk and misbehave with others8221;.

However,following the outcry backed up by visits from the Police Department and the civic authorities, the cafe has buckled under. 8220;Since then, we have had a lot of officials visiting the restaurant asking about the incident,8221; Jehani admits.

While tossing out the two Black patrons, his partner Rashid Dohmiri had admitted that a 8220;colonial hangover8221; stood in the way. However, Jehani now says the management only stops clients who are potential trouble-makers. 8220;Blacks are much stronger than other races, which is why we are more careful with them,8221; he argues. He says the community forms a large part of his clientele and he will do nothing to upset them.

In a startling volte-face, the management now claims the June 19 incident was not meant to hurt the sentiments of the South African women. Instead, the management wanted to bar the two men accompanying them from entering as they don8217;t allow 8220;stags8221; in. Unaccompanied women, though, are allowed.

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8220;We allow couples inside without any questions, but won8217;t allowthe place to become a pick-up joint,8221; says Jehani, who also claims the incident was a frame-up by a few men who could not pick up girls because the management did not allow it.

Dohmiri, for his part, told Express Newsline today that he has never discriminated against Blacks. Without denying his earlier statements, he says he was not 8220;in the right frame of mind at that time8221;. 8220;Every client, irrespective of skin colour8221;, is welcomed into his establishment, he adds. Jehani says the management is vigilant due to frequent thefts at the cafe, which is frequented by tourists and marine officers. 8220;We only want to prevent these thefts, which would affect our reputation,8221; he adds. There have been instances when the documents of patrons have been stolen. He says the management will now immediately report such incidents to the police. 8220;Hauling foreigners to the police station is not a pleasant task,8221; Jehani explains.

The management says it will be 8220;more lenient8221; towards African clients but theywill be treated at par with other communities. Scrutiny would continue, but at a more friendly level, the management says. 8220;This, I hope, will put everything to rest,8221; Jenhani says.