Following uproar over an elderly farmer being denied entry for wearing a dhoti at GT World Mall in Bengaluru, the Karnataka government has directed the mall to close for a week. Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh stated that there is legal provision for such action under the law.

The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when Fakirappa, accompanied by his son, was stopped by mall security despite having tickets for a film. A viral video showed the farmer and his son pleading with security personnel, who cited mall policy prohibiting entry to individuals dressed in dhotis.

A case has been registered against the mall owner and a security guard under Section 126(2) (wrongful restraint) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The issue has sparked widespread outrage on social media and protests by Kannada and farmer organizations, with criticism directed at the mall's policy and the state government.