No place for haunted past in swanky new Naroda

Muslims say they are not allowed to buy homes in the new apartments. “The locality has undergone a complete facelift with new roads,BRTS,flyovers and bridges. And we are happy about the same. But the development does not reflect in the approach towards Muslims,particularly of Naroda Patiya,” says local resident Mohammed Qadir Momin,adding that he has been told “the schemes are only for Hindus”.

Money is not scarce,with business doing well and the compensation money helping many residents repair homes,as well as buy LCD television sets and better furniture.

“With the grace of god,we have prospered,” said the owner of a three-storey house in Patiya who didn’t want to be named. “And with prosperity,one would dream of moving to a better place either to live or for business. But we are not welcome in any real estate scheme at key locations here… I wanted to buy a property for my business near Galaxy Cinema,but I gave up the idea.”

Bashir Mansuri from Hussain Nagar ni Gali in Naroda Patiya used to be a labour contractor before the violence. “After the riots,people (mainly Hindus) stopped providing me contracts and I had to gradually change business. But I am facing the same discrimination now,” said Mansuri,adding that he had been denied a plot in City Centre,a plush apartment scheme with shops and offices,right next to Naroda Patiya.

“I wanted to buy a shop there. Some friends had assured me financial help. But when I went to enquire,they told me the scheme is only for Hindus,” said Mansuri.

Raju Patel of City Centre claims this is not new. “In Naroda,people live according to their area (read as per their religion). And this is a Hindu area.”

Asked about people being sent away,Patel said: “Patiya is far and not very near to our scheme. And no Muslim comes for booking here.”

Mehul Kakadia,one of the partners in Jyoti Residency,added that Muslims could have been denied bookings at his scheme because it was sold out.

“If this continues,one day we will be forced to vacate Naroda Patiya,” said Momin. “People of other communities may come to outnumber us,and we know what that means after witnessing the 2002 riots.”