Sarmad Khoosat calls out hospital’s fashion police

The actor and director shared his experience being denied entry to a hospital while visiting a loved one

In a recent statement shared on his Instagram Story, actor and director Sarmad Khoosat, known for his work on Humsafar and Manto, voiced his frustration over an incident at a hospital where he was reprimanded for his choice of attire, despite wearing knee-length shorts. Khoosat expressed disbelief, questioning why hospitals should dictate what visitors wear, especially when they are not there for treatment but merely to meet a patient. He recounted being asked to either change into ill-fitting pants that were offered to him from a guard’s dusty drawer.

The actor condemned what he perceived as moral policing, asserting, "This country's policing and moral policing are truly a circus." He emphasised the absurdity of prioritising clothing regulations over patient care in a hospital setting, lamenting, "I hope they don't treat patients in wards and rooms based on their clothes."

Khoosat highlighted the irony of being stopped by a guard who cited the presence of ladies inside as a reason for the dress code enforcement, sarcastically remarking, "May I please request the said ladies to focus on their loved ones' health and treatment and not be tempted by me."

Ultimately, Khoosat's experience sheds light on broader issues of personal freedom and the arbitrary implementation of rules in public spaces, urging for a more sensible approach to policies in hospitals and beyond.

The full post on his story read, “In what world are hospitals supposed to police what you are wearing? Not here for treatment but to meet a patient only. I was wearing shorts (not too short either - definitely knee length) and the management told me to either go back or wear these pants which emerged out of a guard’s dusty drawer. Needless to say, the fit and the look of them would have made me actually look vulgar. I hope they don't treat patients in wards and rooms based on their clothes. It's a hospital for god's sake. This country's policing and moral policing are truly a circus. The guard said, “there are ladies inside!” May I please request the said ladies to focus on their loved ones' health and treatment and not be tempted by me. Not naming the hospital because I am sure such ridiculous laws are the easiest and quickest to implement across the country. Also: I entered through the emergency gate and the guard didn't even bother asking me if I had an emergency situation or not.”