List of banned items irksome for some

Black clothing, handbags, smartphones and even pens were among the banned items for people who wanted to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi address the nation from the Red Fort.

People were screened for these “prohibited items” at least at three security checkpoints, and many were denied entry to the venue. “Please, no handbags,” a police officer told Sobha Kumari who had come with her family.

On whether they could avail a locker facility, the officer said, “You could keep your bag with someone you know in this area.” Sobha Kumari told Deccan Herald that her family came from Shahdara in north-east Delhi.

She said it was her family’s first attempt at being part of the Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort.

A few were also screened out because they were wearing black apparel. One of the visitors found it tough explaining how his graphite-coloured T-shirt doesn’t qualify as items in the banned list.

Pens, cigarettes, electronic gadgets and inflammable items were also in the banned list displayed at each security checkpoints.

But a few people in the VIP enclosures were seen taking photographs of the Independence Day proceedings with their cellphones.