A resident of an apartment in Whitefield, who has taken exception to a “discriminatory” rule imposed by his apartment owners’ association, shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and to Minorities Affairs Minister Tanvir Sait on Friday.

In April 2016, Prestige Shantiniketan Apartments Owners’ Association made a rule that none of the “maids, cooks and other help staff” is allowed to walk on the podium level of the apartment complex in Whitefield. Vinodh Rajaraman, a resident of the apartment, has termed it “unconstitutional”.

He told The Hindu that the rule had lead to discrimination against the staff from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Mr. Rajaraman said the practice was in violation of Article 17 which forbids untouchability and provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1976.

“For several months now we have tried to reason out with the association and said that it was unacceptable to have such a rule, but they have refused to withdraw it,” said Mr. Rajaraman, who has been a resident of the apartment for the past six years.

He said he was ready to pursue the matter legally if the association does not relent.

‘Security reasons’

Debasis Mishra, president of the association, argued that the move was imposed for “security” reasons and also to reduce footfall at the podium level so that it could be maintained well.

“The staff have no work there, and if in any circumstance they have some work, access is provided on need basis,” he said.