Mumbai: 

Not done: Suhas Awchat, owner of Diva Maharashtracha, with wife Deepa

This is one discount offer that is in poor taste. Diva Maharashtracha, a Marathi eatery, has been dishing out handsome discounts to its patrons - but only if they are Maharashtrians or at least, speak Marathi.

Even though this scheme has been on for about a year and a half, the owners have decided to promote this only now, by sending SMS-es to the public.

Dr Suhas Awchat, co-owner of Diva Maharashtracha, Culture Curry and Goa Portuguesa, has been exercising the 50% discount-policy for Maharashtrian patrons at Diva Maharashtracha on main course lunch, and 25% off on main course dinner on weekdays.

When we asked him the reason for this discrimination, he said, "Most Maharashtrians lead simple lives, and are not wealthy. I want them to be exposed to the rich culture they belong to. I don't want them to be intimidated by the décor of the place or the celebrity patrons who frequent the joint." People of other communities are wealthy or at least well off, and dining out for them is a casual experience, he believes.  

He added that his friends often joke, "Raj Thackeray ne tera agenda copy kiya hai", since the discount policy was functional well before the violence that broke out in the city a few months ago.       

How do they identify who's Maharashtrian and who is not?

The manager is in charge of this task. He starts a casual banter with patrons in Marathi, and if they respond in the same language, the manager is certain that they are Maharashtrians. Also, overhearing conversations between groups is an easy way to judge which community they belong to. But, what if you know Marathi enough to fake your way through an entire meal? "Yes, those guests are given a discount too. As long they are promoting Maharash-trian culture in some way, I don't care," says Awchat.
 
Inputs by Varun Singh

What they say Dr Suhas Awchat, Co-owner, Diva Maharashtracha: Most Maharashtrians lead simple lives, and are not wealthy. I want them to be exposed to the rich culture they belong to Kripa shankar Singh, President, MRCC: Such tactics are used by people to gain attention. I don't know about this restaurant, but the owner is trying to take advantage of the situation. Nikasha Tawadey, Fashion designer: In spite of being a Maharashtrian, I will not visit the restaurant. Let's not make a mockery of the core democratic values of our country Kunal Vijaykar, TV host and comedian: For a Maharashtrian, the offer sounds exciting. When you look at the larger picture, yes, it's terrible. Any kind of segregation is best avoided. Y P Singh, advocate and former IPS officer: Such an act is illegal as it's a hostile discrimination. A hotel needs a licence from the government office and every government office follows the constitution. Such form of discrimination is violating the constitutional right. This may not be a criminal offence, but it leads to discrimination. Yamini Namjoshi, Theatre actor: For a restaurant that caters to the people of Mumbai, a discount only for Maharashtrians sounds archaic and strange. Promoting Maharashtrian culture to Maharashtrians is odd. Aren't they already aware of it? If affordability is an issue, why not open a place that will instantly appeal to the masses? Clint Fernandes, Make-up artist: If the owner is offering a discount because he believes Maharashtrians are not financially sound to afford eating out, why not cut rates for lower income families from every community? I might be a Catholic, but I consider myself a Maharashtrian because I was born here, and have spent all my life here. Everyone in my family speaks fluent Marathi. But I don't think I will be eligible for a discount. K L Prasad, Joint Commissioner of Police, law and order: To comment on whether keeping a discount for a particular community is justified, I will have to check the legalities.