Mumbai: HDFC removes ‘anti-homeless’ spikes outside its branch after criticism on social media
Images posted by journalist Simon Mundy went viral on social media after he condemned the bank’s response to the city’s ‘homelessness crisis’.
HDFC Bank on Tuesday said it would remove the metal spikes outside its Fort branch in South Mumbai after a Twitter user criticised the installation. On March 25, images of the spike posted by journalist Simon Mundy went viral on social media. He condemned the bank’s response to “Mumbai’s homelessness crisis”.
#LatestVisuals: Iron spikes installed outside #Mumbai's Fort branch of HDFC bank being removed. pic.twitter.com/GrlZ3YBIDh
— ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2018
An eyecatching response to Mumbai’s homelessness crisis from @HDFC_Bank (Fort branch) pic.twitter.com/5H8ErgUoth
— Simon Mundy (@simonmundy) March 25, 2018
“The spikes 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,” Mundy tweeted.
The bank expressed its regret over their installation and apologised for the inconvenience caused. “We are having the spikes removed on priority,” HDFC Bank tweeted.
We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to the public by the installation of the spikes at our Fort Branch, as part of the recent renovation. We're having the spikes removed on priority. @simonmundy https://t.co/Tw5j6RYmGu
— HDFC Bank (@HDFCBank_Cares) March 26, 2018