Barefoot runner denied entry at Bengaluru Metro station, sparks online buzz: ‘Footwear welcome, but not in hands’

BENGALURU: An attempt to cool down by a runner on his way home created online buzz after he claimed he was stopped at Cubbon Park Metro station for carrying his running shoes in his hand.

Shyam Mohan said he had just completed a run and removed his shoes to stretch his feet. With shoes in his hand, he attempted to enter the underground station only to be stopped at the entrance by security personnel, who allegedly told him the act was "indecent."

According to Mohan's post on X, this was not the first time he had made a barefoot entry into a Metro station. "I was returning home from a run and took my shoes off to stretch my feet. That was how I entered the Cubbon Park Metro station. This wasn't the first time I did this, but it was the first time I was stopped," he wrote.

Thinking it was a one-off case of personal bias, he walked to the next Metro gate, only to be stopped again. This time, the security staff were "reasonable" and explained the rules.

The restriction appeared to have been implemented after a passenger recently complained about people travelling on the Metro while carrying their shoes in their hands.

A perplexed Mohan wondered if the restriction was Metro-wide. He wondered if he should try entering other Metro stations barefoot with shoes in hand and check if he is stopped in a similar fashion. "Maybe I'll try Lal Bagh next?" he added, likely planning an actual verification.

Footwear welcome, but not in hands: BMRCL

In a clarification, BMRCL said Namma Metro passengers are expected to follow basic etiquette while travelling. "Carrying shoes in hand could inconvenience fellow passengers if they accidentally touched others or if there was an odour," explained BMRCL chief public relations officer BL Yeshwanth. He added that Namma Metro does not stop anyone from using the service, but commuters were expected to adhere to certain norms.

The security staff merely advised the passenger to wear his shoes before travelling and did not prevent him from entering the station, he said.

The passenger initially attempted to enter Cubbon Park Metro station at 8.51am. He later wore the shoes he was carrying and entered the platform at 8.55am before boarding a train, Metro officials said.

Online verdict: Wear them or put them in a bag

The post triggered sharp reactions on ‘X', mostly from people who believe carrying sweat-soaked shoes inside an air-conditioned Metro coach was a "big no-no."

"Metro is one of the few public services which is actually quite good. It's stupid to carry your shoes in your hand. Finish all your stretching outside, put on your shoes, and then travel," declared one Deepak.

"More than indecent, it is unfair to the people around. Even with a 100% degree of care, one would not want the shoe sole/shoes to be accidentally touching them. So, yeah, go barefoot but carry a shoe bag! It's a reasonable ask," wrote Gaurav Mishra.

"Kudos to BMRCL for enforcing such things. We, as responsible citizens, should know civic sense and teach others as well. Nobody wants to stand next to smelly shoes."

Many users highlighted the lack of civic sense in the "shoeless drama."

"I am thankful to BMRCL security for trying to teach u some sense. It's people like you who make public transport unbearable for many," said Sudeep V.