Man not allowed to enter SBI bank in Kolkata for wearing shorts; SBI reacts

Kolkata: Debate sparked among netizens after a man in Kolkata shared on social media that he was denied entry into one of the local branches of State Bank of India (SBI) because of his attire.

Ashish, who goes by the user name @ajzone008 on Twitter, tweeted on November 16 that he had visited the bank wearing shorts. So, the bank officials didn’t allow him to enter into the bank and asked him to come back wearing full pants in order to ‘maintain decency’.

Here’s the tweet:

Hey @TheOfficialSBI went to one of your branch today wearing shorts, was told that I need to come back wearing full pants as the branch expects customers to “maintain decency”

Is there some sort of an official policy on what a customer can wear and cannot wear?

— Ashish (@ajzone008) November 16, 2021

Emphasizing that he was not the first SBI customer to deal with such a situation, Ashish attached a link of an article on his tweet thread that reported a similar incident in Pune.

Soon, a debate sparked among tweeps over the incident. While some showed their support to the disappointed SBI customer, some others backed the ‘decency at public place’ theory.

SBI has no problem if you roam NUDE also but thing is they are worried about their Customers who might take this as offensive..

So yeah there are clothes designed for every where. I am sure you don’t go to office or Wedding in Shorts do you ? So why not wear something decent?

— Mirza Baig (@Baig2K19) November 18, 2021

 

Close you account and find a different bank..

— Ambrose Silveira (@AmbroseSilveira) November 17, 2021

 

Correct. One should go in formals, as it will be awkward for rest of customer

— YVCHAKRADHAR (@YVCHAKRADHAR) November 17, 2021

 

even if there is no policy, banking is serious business place not a fun place.Instesd of making it sensetntional simply be decent to other customers.Being decent is quite simple man.

— dn singh (@dnsacixdnsacix) November 18, 2021

 

 

Later, the SBI reverted to the user with a clarification note which read, “We understand and respect your concern. Let us take an opportunity to clarify that there is no policy or prescribed dress code for our customers. They can dress up as per their choice and may consider the locally acceptable norms/tradition/culture for a public place like bank branch. We request you to share the branch code/ name where you faced this issue. We will look into this.”

The issue was soon resolved and Ashish shared the updates in his latest tweets.

Hello @TheOfficialSBI

I have with me Mr Joy Chakraborty ( CM Admin of the region ) with me, they came to my home and have taken care of the Issue.

I would like to close this complaint and do not want any action against the staff. https://t.co/Dtw7gH9VwB

— Ashish (@ajzone008) November 20, 2021