Muslim woman denied flat in Mumbai

Risingbd Desk: A young Muslim woman says she was harassed and threatened by a Mumbai broker who attempted to prevent her from moving into a flat on grounds of religion. Her case has now been sent to the National Commission for Minorities.

Misbah Qadri, a media professional from Gujarat currently working in Mumbai, was house-hunting a few weeks ago when she came across a post on social media of two girls seeking a flatmate. She got in touch with the girls and was all set to move into the flat.

"A few hours before I was to move in, I received a call from the broker saying I could not live there as I was Muslim," says Qadri, who tried reasoning with him that this was unfair. Finally, she was told that she would have to sign a no-objection certificate saying that if she did move in, she would not hold the broker, owner or builder responsible for any harassment she may face. She asked him what sort of harassment she could possibly face for being Muslim.

She ignored the broker`s attempts at preventing her from moving into the flat, and did so nonetheless. However, she says the broker continued to harass her, and even threatened to throw her belongings out of the house if she did not vacate the premises.

Eventually, both Qadri and her two Hindu flatmates were forced to leave the house.


Source: Times of India

risingbd/May 27, 2015/Mukul