Fundamentally Muslim

“Arrey,even Shah Rukh Khan faced many problems buying a flat in Mumbai,” a real estate agent expounded,pointing to the very high-rise that is currently in the news. “This building society made a huge exception and accepted Shah Rukh only because of his star status. If you want we can try for you also,” he said. I declined on principle saying that I didn’t want to reside in any building that had prejudices against people based on their religion.

“But you are not like ‘those people’,” the agent argued. “You are educated,affluent and well-connected,and will never ever sacrifice a goat in the building compound on the Eid day,” he added. The broker simply couldn’t comprehend why I was being obstinate even though I didn’t fit any of the stereotypes associated with my co-religionists.

A few years ago,I was appalled to read that a gaggle of dial-a-quote activists,ostensibly representing the film industry,had taken offence that Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar had claimed that they faced religious discrimination while house hunting in Mumbai and accused the duo of fanning communal flames. Now,I may not agree with all of their personal politics but nobody in their right mind can or should accuse this couple of being anything but truly secular,patriotic Indians.

Sadly,instead of religious tolerance and communal integration,we are witnessing rampant bigotry and sectarianism in a city that was once the epitome of this country’s secularist ideal. Entire neighbourhoods and housing complexes are closed off to “those terrorists” who are increasingly forced to reside in communal ghettos because no one else will allow them in. I fully appreciate that people have the legal right to choose who they want or don’t want to co-habit with.

But it’s gratifying to read that folks are prepared to pay well above the market rent for a flat simply because it is owned by a superstar. The fact that he is Muslim doesn’t seem to matter. We Indians adore the mighty Khans of Bollywood. Now,if we could only show a little tolerance towards one another we might live happily ever after.

Eid Mubarak to all.

samarofdiscontent@gmail.com