Haagen Dazs in India Bans Indians?

(MYFOX NATIONAL) - The first Haagen Dazs ice cream shop in Delhi, India has gotten into a bit of hot water over a sign that purportedly banned Indians from its shop.

The Times of India posted a photo that showed the sign that read "Exclusive preview for International Travelers" and below it "Access restricted to holders of International passports," which suggested to the writer of the Times piece that Indians were effectively banned from the store.

Writer Rajesh Kalra said that his friend who had an international passport tried to enter the store, but was turned away.

"I couldn't believe what I saw. Was I in India, 62 years after gaining independence, and years after South Africa officially ended apartheid?" Kalra wrote. "I am normally not given to immediate emotional reactions, but I couldn’t resist this time. I was, to be honest, upset. How can they do this to an Indian, in India?"

DigitalJournal.com writes that the sign appears to have been an ill-conceived promotional strategy. It may have just meant that the store was giving tourists a chance to visit the store before the crowds, wrote Erin Jackson.

The Times writes that after public outcry on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks, the store dropped the policy and claimed that it never existed.

Haagen Dazs is poised to expand in India. According to the Economic Times , 30 to 40 outlets are expected to open in the next few years.