Bizzare things happen all around the world. But what can be weirder than not allowing the citizens of your own country to visit places that stand on their motherland. And just to get it clear, NO, this is not a story from the colonial times, it is very much true! There are certain places in India where Indians are not allowed.
And for your information, these places are run by INDIANS and managed by INDIANS and still, only foreign nationals are allowed. You will be shocked to hear, there is a place in this list that does not even let “Indian looking” people enter its premises. How strange is that?
If you, till now, thought that India is a free country and we can visit anywhere without restrictions, well, your bubble has finally burst.
…And before you start guessing, let’s dive right in.
Also Read: Planning a Trip to India
Brace yourself to know the 10 infamous places in India where Indians are not allowed!
- Red Lollipop Hostel, Chennai
- Foreigner’s Only Beaches, Goa
- Norbulingka Café, Dharamshala
- Russian Colony, Kunnamkulam
- Sakura Ryokan Restaurant, Ahmedabad
- Broadlands Hotel, Chennai
- UNO – In Hotel, Bengaluru
- Foreigner’s Only Beach, Pondicherry
- Free Kasol Café, Kasol
- Unknown Lodge in Chennai
Red Lollipop Hostel, Chennai
“No Indian” is the policy of the Red Lollipop Hostel in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. They clearly do not entertain any Indian travellers. An International Standard Hotel, this hostel is only reserved for expats. They can only check-in after showing their passport and choose to stay in their mixed dormitory, female dormitory, and a budget twin room. Not only this, Red Lollipop Hostel claims to be among the unique hotels in Chennai that only serves first time travellers to India.
Also Read: Top 10 Things to do in Chennai
Foreigner’s Only Beaches, Goa
Heaven for water babies, Goa receives a large number of locals as well as foreigners every year. But there are foreigner’s only beaches in Goa where Indians are not allowed. The barring is done to protect the foreigners wearing swimsuits and bikinis from unnecessary stares. The famous shacks in Arambol Beach do not provide rooms to Indians and you will also hardly find Indians on Anjuna beach. The locals claim that they are protecting them from the gaze of country people.
Norbulingka Café, Dharamshala
A quaint place, Dharamshala has many cafes from which Norbulinka Café is one that Indians are not permitted to enter. It is set amidst a picturesque setting and is adorned with beautiful gardens and a laid-back ambience. The management of Norbulingka Café have a foreigner’s only policy and allegedly, even people who look like Indians cannot enter the café premises. How crazy is that?
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Russian Colony, Kunnamkulam
Russian Colony is one of the places in India where Indians are not allowed. This colony is a residential area for the Russians who are working on a Nuclear Power Project. There are not just houses and apartments but also many clubhouses, hotels, and other things for entertainment and leisure for the Russian residents.
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Sakura Ryokan Restaurant, Ahmedabad
Love Japanese food? Unfortunately, you cannot delight in a meal at Sakura Ryokan Restaurant. It is a world-class restaurant in Ahmedabad that is owned by an Indian but does not allow country people. This was not the case in the beginning. The restaurant initially was open to all but after their north-eastern waitresses constantly experienced lustful staring of Indian visitors, the restaurants banned Indian people.
Also Read: 11 Best Things to do in Hyderabad
Broadlands Hotel, Chennai
Located down south, Broadlands Hotel in Chennai is thronged by foreign nationals. It is not among the most lavish hotels in Chennai but offers decent rooms with minimal facilities. Their ‘No Indian’ policy has banned our own people from entering this place allowing only those to stay who have foreign passports. Due to this discriminatory policy, Broadlands Hotel has been a matter of discussion for years.
UNO – In Hotel, Bengaluru
Another strange place in India that does not allow Indians to enter is the UNO-In Hotel. Located in the South Indian city of Bangalore, this hotel is exclusively for the Japanese. It was built in 2012 on the Langford Cross Road in Shanthinagar and since then does not permit Indians and other non-Japanese nationals to enter its premises, especially the Japanese rooftop restaurant called Teppen.
Also Read: 21 Places to visit near Bangalore for a Weekend Getaway
Foreigner’s Only Beach, Puducherry
Just like the foreigner beaches in Goa, Puducherry has some beaches, shacks, and restaurants that are reserved for foreigners. Puducherry is a beautiful place with many pristine beaches but unfortunately, you cannot have access to them all.
Also Read: Top 12 Things to do in Pondicherry
Free Kasol Café, Kasol
Kasol is a very chilled-out place. Many Indians and non-Indians visit here to enjoy the laid-back vibes. Cafes are a major part of Kasol and Free Kasol Café is among them. It came into the spotlight in 2015 when it denied Indian citizens while welcoming the Israelis. The owner said that most of the male Indian tourists misbehave with the non-Indians. Thus, it is now one of the places that do not allow Indians to enter.
Also Read: 101 Things to do in Himachal Pradesh
A Lodge in Chennai
An unnamed lodge in Chennai does not let Indians set foot inside its premises. This hotel has a made-up name ‘Highlands’. It is said that it was a residence of a former Nawab, and now it only permits tourists with foreign passports.
India is a diverse country and welcomes all foreigners with open arms and great hospitality, so much so that we took ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ too seriously and reserved it for foreigners. Also, the discriminatory policies of these places in India are on a whole new level. What did you think about these places that follow non-Indian policy?
Manmeet Kaur
A writer by profession and a storyteller by heart, Manmeet has a passion for traveling and treating her taste buds to different cuisines. Besides, she loves to binge-watch movies and series every now and then. She is also an avid reader, which keeps her engaged.
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