Recently, a message board from Lahore Gym Khana Club, which read “NO MAIDS BEYOND THIS POINT”, has been making the rounds on social media.
The signboard aptly reflects the crude financial discrimination prevalent in our society. Wealth inequality is a common feature of Pakistani society and a severely gross representation of this unequal distribution is played out in the condescending attitudes and mindsets of those who end up more fortunate than others. And their demeaning attitude towards those who are less blessed. The signboard at Gymkhana presents a stark representation of this problematic mindset, and many social media users reacted to the ridiculous signboard!
What’s with the discrimination @ Gymkhana ?? pic.twitter.com/T4j5FjaGdA
— Hassan Kamal Wattoo (@hkwattoo1) December 1, 2021
One user commented on the colonial history of this discrimination and its unfairness.
Article 18(B) of Colonial Law British India Yah kiya beghairti hah
This Must be stopped Every body is equal in this Country as per our Constitution.
— Sir (@BCirck) December 2, 2021
Another commented on the absence of humanity in the message wrote “Rules are made by humans and there has to be some reflection of humanity in the rules.”
Rules are made by humans and there has to be some reflection of humanity in the rules.
— Adnan S Javed (@adnanSjaved) December 2, 2021
Others talked about the need to change it.
You/ Your parent is a member of this club (which most of us here are nottt). If you guys are so bothered by the rule, get the committee of management to change it.
— Cosmos (@crabpulsar03) December 1, 2021
While many others commented on how the alternative of house helpers sitting by and watching while house members sit together and eat is equally horrible. This points out the fact that such signboards will continue to pop up in different places and different forms, until we deal with root of the problem which is – wealth inequality!
This and then you go to posh restaurants and see people eating on the table and maids either seated on a bench in the entrance or without food on a separate table or lurking outside the window with babies. So idk which is worse.
— Haibat Khan (@HaibatK35548742) December 1, 2021
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