Hotel Reportedly Denies Room To Friends From Different Religions And Gender

A Muslim man and a Hindu woman, while on their official trip, were denied a room to stay in Jaipur, Rajasthan. This has sparked a controversy even though the hotel policies read that they do not allow any form of discrimination across its properties, the two were denied a room when it was disclosed that they belong to two different faiths.

Key Takeaways:

• The 31-year-old man is a teacher and was on an official trip to Delhi via Jaipur.
• The hotel policies also read that unmarried couples are allowed to stay. But the man was denied a room only because he is Muslim and the woman, who was to arrive later, is a Hindu.
• The man said that he knew the woman for 13 years and that she is a good friend.
• Since both of them were reaching Jaipur at the same time, they decided to meet and stay together. 

The man also put forth that there is no law that prohibits two interfaith people of different gender from staying together. The hotel chain, in return, refunded their money and provided them a room in another hotel for free.

Unmarried Couples Allowed But Not Interfaith 'Friends'

The hotel policies clearly state that unmarried couples are allowed to stay. However, the staff still denied a room to the Muslim man, when he disclosed that his friend, who was to arrive later, is a Hindu. The man was actually on an official trip. The woman, who was his friend for the last 13 years, was coming from Delhi to Jaipur for some work. Since both of them were reaching the city at approximately same time, they decided to meet and stay together. The man, who wanted to remain anonymous, told The Hindu, “Since both of us had to reach Jaipur at almost the same time, we decided to meet and stay together during the day.”

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The Hotel Chain App Provided Them A Room In Another Hotel For Free

This incident took place on Saturday at one of the hotel chain's Executive Stays. The man tried to convince the staff at the hotel but after failing to do so, he raised the issue with the travel booking app. He also put forth that there is no law that prohibits two interfaith people of different gender from staying together. The hotel chain, in return, refunded their money and provided them a room in another hotel for free. “But that is not really the solution. How can a hotel refuse to let two adults in if they hail from different religions?” the man said.

The hotel chain, in its official statement, has released that it does not endorse any form of discrimination. Moreover, in such cases, it also takes strict actions, which may also include termination of the contract with the asset owners.

Instruction From Police

The hotel staff told the man that they have received instructions from the police to not allow couples of different religions. The man, however, did not report the matter to the police.

The hotel chain, in its official statement, has released that it does not endorse any form of discrimination. Moreover, in such cases, it also takes strict actions, which may also include termination of the contract with the asset owners.

This is not the first time that two interfaith people were dealt with differently. In July 2018, the police had forcefully separated an interfaith couple, who got married at their own will. The couple, who married in Ghaziabad, and stayed at the JNU, were forcefully separated by policemen, accompanied by JNU's security personnel. Later, however, the Delhi High Court slammed police for their inappropriate action. The bench also gave permission to the woman to reunite with her husband, who was also present in the courtroom.

Picture Credit: Zoosk

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