Are we inclusive enough???

Breaking News: Emraan Hashmi denied purchase of a flat in a posh society in Pali Hill in Mumbai.

My Observation: BIG DEAL!!!!!

Actually it is a big deal for those who are away from the stark reality of living in India, but for people who have gone house hunting even once in their lifetime, they know the truth.
You will be turned away for the most frivolous and ridiculous of reasons that one can ever think of. Some of the gems:

1. You are a bachelor.
2. You are a non-vegetarian.
3. You smoke.
4. You drink.
5. You don't work in a PSU/Government department.
6. You are a BOY(For God's sake).

These are just a few of the most ridiculous things you get to hear, not to mention people asking your salary to gauge the depth of financial damage that you can survive.

Now, coming to Emraan Hashmi's case: This is nothing new in Mumbai, and below the cosmopolitan exterior lies the dark underbelly(Not actually slums) of Mumbai, the city of dreams.

Having closely observed the living patterns of various communities in Mumbai, I can safely state that there are umpteen number of societies which are exclusive. Gujrati societies(and there are a large number of them) only rent out or sell to Gujratis. Parsi Baugs, where only Parsis can live. Maharashtrian societies which will invariably be inclined towards fellow Maharashtrians and so on.

The Muslim localities, are largely inhabited by Muslim population. People will come and go and it is business as usual for all, but all communities are exclusive for their brethren. Some people call it "Ghettoisation" of Muslims, some call it their reluctance to move out of their "safe zones", and some a clear lack of willingness in the society to allow intermingling of the various communities. It's easy to maintain the status quo and we are really not the most inclusive and open society.

A society which has prided itself on its "Varna Vyavastha"(Which is actually a flawed system, but worked in its time) within the same religion, would be rather reluctant to embrace people of another religion.

I faced innumerable problems getting a pad in Chennai, my profile was not the most desirable: I was a unmarried, studying in Pune, from North India, did not speak Tamil, and on top of that I am a Boy. I was not discriminated against on the basis of religion, but would certainly have been, had I been a Muslim.

So, what Mr. Hashmi is saying is completely true, but what has happenned should not come as a surprise to any of us. People deny others the smallest of things on the most trivial of exuses. He wanted to buy a HOUSE in a Hindu society being a Muslim. Whatever anybody says, discrimination on the basis of religion(which is in complete contradiction to Indian Constitution) occurs everyday in every part of our country and to act appalled and shocked( Which a certain celebrity on a news channel did) is to be an ostrich.

We turn our backs on fellow citizens everyday in the most heart rending situations, we don't stop even if somebody is dying on the road, we refuse water to strangers fearing the unknown, So this is hardly anything. Mr. Hashmi has the connections and the money to buy house in any locality in Mumbai, and he can mobilise the media frenzy with a click(kiss) of his lips. But spare a thought for those poor souls who have no option, but to be disappointed being unable to break into these invisble barriers.

The devil is within us, the God is within us. The devil always gets the prominence because his cause is tempting and the easier option to choose. Mr. Hashmi will be the toast of the media for another couple of days. Come another breaking news and he will again go back into the filmdom's selective obscurity that he is a part of. Life will go on as usual and people will again go back to their ghettos, both mental and social, and India will be shining again.

So, BIG DEAL that something like this happenned.

Good Luck Mr. Hashmi, you would rather live in a society where you are accepted, than in a place where your presence is resented.

Ciao, Mukul Tyagi