Social media outrage forces HDFC Bank to remove spikes outside Mumbai branch
Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service
Mumbai, March 27
After widespread criticism on social media, HDFC Bank on Tuesday removed metal spikes outside its branch in Mumbai's Fort area.
The spikes which were several inches tall were installed outside the windows of the banks branch at Nanik Motwani Marg in downtown Mumbai to prevent street vendors from storing their wares on the ledges.
However, people who shared the pictures of the spikes on social media feared that pedestrians walking on the road would be impaled if they were to slip and fall on the spikes.
"These anti-homeless spikes from HDFC Bank's Fort branch are not only a depressing gesture towards Mumbai's many rough sleepers, but could also impale any pedestrian unlucky enough to trip and fall in this crowded passageway," Simon Mundy, the Mumbai correspondent of Financial Times said in a message on Twitter.
After Mundy's tweet was shared widely, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation warned that it would take action against the bank. Kiran Dighavkar, Assistant Municipal Commissioner, said notices would be issued to the bank if the spikes posed any threats to pedestrians.
Today, HDFC Bank said the metal spikes have been removed. It also tweeted pictures of flower pots in place of the metal spikes.
