A series of media reports have exposed that many apartment buildings in Mumbai are deemed off-limits to Muslims by the societies that govern them
The Maharashtra State Minorities Commission today stepped in after a huge outrage over an offensive and discriminatory advertisement posted on popular property rental and sales portal, 99acres.com.
The online advertisement for a two-bedroom flat on sale for Rs 3 crore in Mumbai, posted on October 27, highlighted the fact that it was furnished and had lots of natural light. Included in the descriptor, along with "with car parking" was "no Muslims."
Commission chief Abdul Munaf Hakim said it will take suo motu action "with the help of newspaper reports on the subject" if it doesn't receive any complaint.
Social Activist and lawyer Shezad Poonawala had earlier complained to the National Commission of Minorities against both the broker who was selling the flat and the website. He was assured that some decision will be taken in two-three days.
"This advertisement is only a symptom of the stereotype and prejudice that exists in society... I would advise 99 acres to immediately apologize unconditionally to the Muslims because there is an outrage against this advertisement," Mr Poonawala told NDTV.
In a statement, 99acres.com assured action. "We are in the process of putting in place more rigorous checks and processes to prevent the recurrence of such listings," the statement said.
Vishal D Souza, the broker who placed the ad, was not available for comment. An employee in his office said that while the ad is deeply problematic, in Mumbai it's not uncommon for landlords to make it clear that they are not willing to sell or rent homes to Muslim families.
A series of media reports have exposed that many apartment buildings in Mumbai are deemed off-limits to Muslims by the societies or administrative councils that govern them.