It's a case of "Chinese whispers," says Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi, now that the hype and hoopla surrounding his controversial search for a home is over. "I wanted to draw attention to discrimination in general, but what ultimately came out of my quotes and interviews was that Muslims in the city are being wronged," says the star, who recently alleged that he wasn't sold a home in Mumbai's upmarket Pali Hill neighbourhood, because he is Muslim. "It happens to other communities too. I just find it unfair that a law-abiding, tax-paying citizen cannot decide where he or she wants to live." Officials from the housing society did not respond to repeated requests for comment. But in other reports they have insisted that Hashmi's allegation is "baseless", and claimed he was denied the house because proper procedures for acquiring the NOC had not been followed.
Now, the owner of the home in Nibbana housing society says that he does not want to sell at all. While Hashmi may have given up on the home, he isn't backing down from the fight at large. "I have filed a complaint with the State Minorities Commission, and hopefully the right steps will be taken," says the actor who believes that it is up to India's youth to make a difference. "I took up this cause because I believe that if you want to change the country, you have to start at home. This practice of denying someone a home based on their religion has existed for so long, that people have started to accept it, but I won't," he asserted.
The reactions to Hashmi's claim have been manifold. In a film industry where many of reigning largely dominated by Muslims, Hashmi got surprisingly little sympathy from his Bollywood brethren. India's reigning superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan came out to say that the fact that Muslim actors are at the top in India, is testament to the county's secular nature. A local politician even slammed Hashmi for making inflammatory remarks and instigating religious divide. And the blogger world in Pakistan is abuzz with this story, one of which is calling secular India a 'myth'.
But others from the Indian Islamic community assert that Hashmi's cry for change isn't a publicity ploy. Young urban Muslims like 26 year-old Anamara Baig looking to rent/buy a space in Mumbai are disoriented by the 'so-called cosmopolitan' city. "I knew that certain housing societies did not permit Muslims to live there, but I experienced it first-hand this week. My real estate options are already cut by 50% because of my religion," says the program reviewer for an NGO, adding, "I love Mumbai city which is why I am more disappointed than angry."But this isn't the only community that has found housing society doors slammed shut. It is a known fact that several building complexes across Mumbai refuse buyers based on their caste, religion, dietary preferences and marital status.
Hashmi is well aware of the reactions and debates that his allegation has spurred on, but he believes the ultimate outcome will be positive. "I have got an overwhelming response to my stand against religious discrimination. Letters are pouring in and those with similar experiences, not just from Mumbai, are now talking about it publicly," he says.
The Bollywood star has been made to wear the tag of 'serial kisser' in the past — owing to his choice of racy films — but he refuses to wear one based on his religion. India has long had housing societies based on religion or ethnicity. As India becomes more urbanized and globalized, Indians will have to ponder whether such societies should continue.
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