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.
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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.
Shocked
Brokers 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.
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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 Case
Emraan 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."
Rejects
Shabana Azmi, Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Amir Ali were also denied homes on religious grounds.
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