Actor Emraan Hashmi claims he was denied a home because he’s a Muslim. The actor says he wanted to rent a home in a building in Mumbai’s posh Pali Hill. He says he had sought the building society’s permission, which he never got. They did not have to tell me that it was because I was a Muslim. I have faced such discrimination before,” said Emraan Hashmi, Actor. The society denies discrimination and says it has yet to process his request. In turn the society’s secretary accused Hashmi of unruly behaviour.
“We have nothing against Muslims. Mr Hashmi barged into our society meeting and demanded we approve his application immediately. We told him that this cannot be done and it will take time. We have not refused him,” said Joy Chetri, Secretary, Nibanna Housing Society.But it’s an allegation that shows five years on Mumbai continues to be divided on communal lines. A 2004 NDTV investigation showed how Muslims were denied homes in predominantly Hindu societies and Hindus in Muslim societies.
Later same was repeated in the case of TV actor Amir Ali who moved the Bombay High Court in 2007. Hashmi has registered a complaint with the State Minorities Commission, which is enquiring into the matter but the case once again brings to fore how Mumbai continues to be divided on communal lines.
