Virat Kohli-owned restaurant chain One8 Commune has landed in hot water. The controversy began when LGBTQIA+ activism group Yes, We Exist claimed that the restaurant’s Pune branch discriminated against the community.
On Monday, the page on social media alleged that the restaurant has an ‘unacceptable’ discriminatory policy, adding that its other branches do the same.
“@virat.kohli You might not know about it, but your restaurant @ one8.commune in Pune discriminates against LGBTQIA+ guests. Other branches also have a similar policy. This is unexpected and unacceptable. Hope you will make necessary changes as soon as possible. @deepigoyal @zomato – do better to either sensitize restaurants or stop providing your platform to discriminating businesses,” the group wrote on Instagram.
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“It is often high-end restaurants that practice such discriminatory policies; From which you are likely to get huge amount for advertising. This needs to end,” it added.
According to The Indian Express, the restaurant’s Pune branch denied entry to gay couples or a gay group of men. It allowed only ‘cisgender heterosexual couples or groups of cisgender women’.
Reports further stated that the restaurant has denied all allegations, stating that it has a ban on ‘stag entree’, which means ‘individual boys are not allowed’.
“We do not discriminate on the basis of gender. We have restrictions on stag entry, which means individual boys are not allowed within the premises. This is only for the safety of the women present in the campus.”
Following the episode, the restaurant has also issued a clarification admitting the allegations. Taking to Instagram stories, One8 Commune wrote,
“At One8 Commune, we believe in welcoming all people regardless of their gender and/or preferences with the utmost respect and dignity. As our name suggests, we have served all communities since our inception. Have always been inclusive in doing.”
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“In line with industry-wide practice and in line with government regulations, we have an expressly prohibiting stag entry. Policy (subject to necessary exemptions) to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for our guests.”
“This is not by any means. This means that our company policy provides for discriminatory entry rules for/against a particular community,” it added.
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