Recently in the city of Bhavanagar, Gujarat, an incident occurred where a group of girls was denied entry into a cultural event because they belonged to a different religion. Though the organisers refunded the ticket cost, the act itself created serious questions – whether such exclusion amounts to religious discrimination under Indian law. While the organisers maintained that it was a private event, attendees pointed out that no such restriction had been published beforehand in the ticketing terms and conditions. The issue left several participants confused about their legal rights in such circumstances.

Advice in such cases

• Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation of come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think
• Understand whether the event is a public function or a purely private gathering. Religious discrimination in public spaces is expressly barred under the Constitution of India and statutes.
• Document everything including ticket receipts, denial messages, and refund proof, as these are essential pieces of evidence if one wants to seek legal remedies.
• If the organizers denied entry based on religion without information in advance, a civil claim for damages or a constitutional writ petition may be maintainable.

Applicable Sections of Law

• Article 15 of the Constitution of India prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth in access to public places.
• Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Section 196 deals with offences related to promoting enmity between different groups on religious grounds.
• Under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), procedures relating to registration of complaint and production of evidence will govern how such a case is handled.
• If the event is categorized as a public entertainment programme under respective State regulations, organisers can be held liable for discriminatory practices.

If you are the complainant

• Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation of come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think
• You may file a police complaint under relevant BNS provisions if there is evidence of religious discrimination.
• Alternatively, you can file a civil suit claiming violation of fundamental rights, particularly if the event was advertised as open to all.
• Keep witness statements from others who observed the exclusion or were similarly affected.

If you are the victim

• Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation of come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think
• Do not engage in arguments or confrontations at the venue for safety reasons. Record proof of denial peacefully.
• File a written complaint before the jurisdictional police station and obtain a Diary entry number or FIR depending on the seriousness.
• Approach the local event-licensing authority, as most cultural events require prior government permission. You may raise objection about violation of license conditions.

How the police behave in such cases

Police may initially treat it as a civil dispute since tickets were refunded. However, once a written complaint highlighting religious discrimination is filed, the police are bound to register and investigate under BNS provisions. At times, they may also call organisers to record statements or attempt mediation. Persistence with proper legal backing is important to ensure the matter is formally taken up.

FAQs people normally have

• Can private organisers set entry rules? – They can, but not in a way that violates the Constitution or anti-discrimination norms if the event is public in nature.
• If tickets are refunded, does that settle the issue? – No, refund only addresses financial loss, not violation of constitutional rights.
• Will such organisers face criminal charges? – If religious hatred or public disorder is provoked, criminal investigation under BNS could be instituted.

What evidence is required?

• Ticket purchase receipts and refund proof.
• Video or audio recordings of denial of admission.
• Testimonies from other attendees confirming the discriminatory reason.
• Event advertisements showing that it was open to public without restrictions.

How long will the investigation take?

Depending on complexity, investigations may take a few weeks to several months. BNSS mandates timelines for investigation; minor cases should ideally be completed within 90 days. However, delay is not uncommon, and proactive follow-up with your lawyer ensures better progress.

Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India