First it was Meerut, now possibly Bengaluru, where unmarried couples may not be allowed to stay at city’s OYO-partnered hotels. A former Bajrang Dal district coordinator, Tejas Gowda, has sought a ban in Bengaluru against unmarried couples staying in OYO hotels and other similar properties like homestays and lodges. Gowda, in fact, has urged the Karnataka government to impose such a ban across the state.
A group of activists, led by Gowda, has submitted a letter to the Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) commissioner Tushar Girinath and the Bengaluru City police commissioner B Dayananda on Wednesday in this regard.
Gowda has alleged that unmarried couples staying together is ‘western culture and there is no tradition in our country which allows this’.
According to the letter, in localities, especially in the heart of the city like Shantinagar, BTM Layout, Jayanagar, Bommanahalli, and surrounding areas, youngsters are being allowed to stay together as paying guests (PGs).
FE reached out to OYO for a comment but the there was no response till the time of going to press.
Few days ago, OYO decided to stop check-ins for unmarried couples at hotels partnered with OYO in Meerut, effective beginning of the year.
“Oyo has received feedback from civil society groups, particularly in Meerut, urging action on this issue. Additionally, residents from several cities have petitioned for a ban on unmarried couples checking in at Oyo hotels,” a report quoting a source had said.
The spillover effect is likely to expand to other cities as Oyo had then said, depending on feedback, it may expand this policy to other cities.
The decision has sparked a debate online and in the civil society with supporters hailing the move, in line with regional senstivities, while critics have labelled it as a regressive step.
Oyo has been a preffered choice among youngsters with its relaxed policies and budget-friendly prices but a Meerut-like directive in other hotels and possibly across the country will hurt its USP (unique selling proposition).
Earlier this week, the traveltech firm reported a net profit of Rs 114 crore for FY24 from a loss in the previous year. Its operational revenue, however, fell 15% to Rs 1,112.83 crore.