Claims J B Chetry, secretary of Nibbana society in Pali Hill, who is accused of denying apartment to Emraan Hashmi as he is a muslim
Claims J B Chetry, secretary of Nibbana society in Pali Hill, who is accused of denying apartment to Emraan Hashmi as he is a muslim
"How can I deny someone permission to buy a flat on the basis of religion, when I have bought my flat from a Muslim family 30 years ago?" asked J B Chetry, secretary of Nibbana housing society in Pali Hill, where actor Emraan Hashmi was allegedly denied a flat (see box).
Chetry denied the allegations against him and said Catholics and Parsis too reside in the building.
|
|
Hash-Mi Not: The actor alleged that he was denied a flat for belonging to a minority. |
However, no action can be taken against the society, unless Hashmi submits a letter from the society stating he cannot make a deal because he is a Muslim.
Mahindra Kalyankar, joint registrar of the housing societies, said, "The law doesn't allow any society to discriminate and we can take action only if Hashmi has proof."
ShockedBrokers from Khar, Santacruz, Bandra and Juhu are shocked at the incident involving Hashmi.
"Pali Hill is a cosmopolitan area and people from all religions have been staying there for years.
It is hard to digest this news," said Vibhoo Mehra of Mumbai Properties, a real estate brokerage firm.
But, according to Mehra, many societies between Bandra and Juhu don't allow non-Hindus to buy flats.
Gujarati Colony, on the 11th and 12th Roads in Khar, allows only Gujarati residents, while Pathare Prabhu colony in Khar sells flats only to Hindus.
u00a0
Ambedkar Colony on Khar Danda Road allows residents only from reserved categories and Hindus, while many societies in Juhu deny residence to non-Hindus.
The CaseEmraan Hashmi has said that his parents went to meet members of Nibbana housing society in Pali Hill earlier this week to take a No Objection Certificate, but were not allowed to meet them.
But Chetry said the Hashmis barged in during an important meeting. "We asked them to come on Sunday because a decision on the NOC had not been taken," explained Chetry.
Emraan then approached the Minority Commission for help. Abraham Mathai, state vice-chairman, Minority Commission, said, "We have asked the society to submit the reason for denying a flat to Hashmi."
RejectsShabana Azmi, Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Amir Ali were also denied homes on religious grounds.
