Shabana Azmi is a big liar
Mirza Ghalib
22 Aug 2008, 0657 hrs IST,
S Balakrishnan & Somit Sen ,TNN, Times of India
Actor Shabana Azmi has sparked off a huge controversy by alleging that
Muslims cannot buy flats in Mumbai and that the community was
discriminated against. TOI decided to do a reality check. Its
reporters posed as Muslim flat-buyers-Mohammed Hanif and Abdul Rashid-
and called up several builders' offices and real estate agents at
random, inquiring about the availability of flats. The results were by
and large contrary to what Azmi alleged. Here's what we did:
We dialled K Raheja builder (26005269) and inquired about his project
on Link Road, behind D Mart, in Malad (West). An executive said
booking was open and possession would be available by Diwali. Asked if
they had any objection to selling flats to Muslims he replied:
"Absolutely no problem sir. We don't bother about the religion of
buyers. Anyone willing to pay our price is welcome.''
RNA builders (28975659) have a project at NG Park on Shiv Vallabh
Road, Rawalpada, Borivli (West). A staffer said an 850 sq ft (built-up
area) flat can be had at Rs 4,800 per sq ft. He categorically stated
that being a Muslim did not matter to his company. "You can come
anytime to have a look at the flats,'' he added cheerfully.
A staffer at Kalpataru Builders (28842600) said two-and-a-half BHK
flats can be booked at their project in Kandivli (E) and possession
will be given in May 2009. He reassured that religion was no
consideration for the sale. "We have no issue selling flats to
Muslims,'' he emphasised.
At Nahar Builders' office (28470201) an assistant identified himself
as Sureshbhai and initiated a smooth sales talk about their project at
Chandivli Farm Road near Powai. He said flats measuring 1040 sq ft
were available for at Rs 10,000 per sq ft. He was surprised when we
asked if he had any reservations about selling a flat to a Muslim.
"Why there should be any problem?'' he asked innocently. "You are most
welcome,'' he added for good measure.
Real estate agent Sushil Khemchand (9820800728), when contacted, said
a posh flat was available on outright purchase for Rs 2.5 crore off
Turner Road in Bandra (West). Measuring around 1100 sq feet, this flat-
situated in an eight-year-old building-was available to people from
all religions, he stated. He assured that that the housing society
would have no objection to Muslims staying there.
Estate agent Rajubhai Dayalani (9322571471) has a few flats for sale
at Mayuresh Shristi, L B S Marg, in Bhandup (West). He said it was
available for anywhere between Rs 44 lakh and Rs 56 lakh. Rajubhai
said the flats were open for people from all communities and there was
no discrimination. "Only the price mattered. Please come on Sunday to
have a look,'' he said enthusiastically.
Lokhandwala Construction (32933197) project near Worli Naka is ready
for possession, and falls under the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme.
Shailesh Bhai, who is promoting the project, told TOI that there was
no problem being a Muslim and one could easily purchase an apartment
here. The builder, Moiz Lokhandwala, was a Muslim who did not care
about the religion of the buyers. Bhoomi builders (28617227) have a
project at Bhoomi Valley, near Thakur Public School, in Kandivli. They
too have no objections to Muslims buying properties in their projects.
A few others, however, had some reservations .
Windsor builders (21714617) in Thane have a project, whose possession
date is December 2008. When asked whether a Muslim can buy property
there, a staffer replied: "Sir, I am confused. I am not sure. I will
have to check with my boss.''
Kabra Builders (28783818) have a project at Vidya Niketan Marg, off M
G Road in Goregaon (West). It is a redevelopment project and will have
2 BHK flats for possession by November 2008. Each flat measures 925 sq
ft built-up area and will have proper amenities. However, Deepakbhai,
who spoke to us, said that he was not sure about Muslims being
accommodated here. "As it is a redeveloped property, I will have to
take a no-objection from the society,'' he said and promised to get
back to us soon.
The Deep
>
Naaah, just a temporary attack of "victimitis" due to close proximity
to "liberals" like Arundhati Roy, and Teesta Setalvad. Or maybe she
was "method acting" for her role in an upcoming movie "The
Victim" (produced, directed, written by Javed Akhtar). The movie is to
be distributed by our resident "reporter" IJKLM. Any controversy that
she could generate would be beneficial to the box office, no?
Dinesh
ker...@gmail.com
> BUYING FLATS IN MUMBAI-DO CERTAIN COMMUNITIES FACE BIAS?
> 22 Aug 2008, 0657 hrs IST,
Shabana is a rank jehadi communalist - she stands for jehadi
interests, poses as secularists only when she has to protest Hindus,
uses bolywood to carefully craft a public image that is contrary to
her hidden agenda, rakes up feminist causes to divide Hindus on gender
lines, poses as champion of poor/slums to woo and divide non-moslems,
help BD illegals and moslem migrants to settle in strategically
created slums that can tilt the elections against pro-hindu candidates
- People like her preyed upon ignorance and gullibility of Hindus -
but she has gradually lost the credibility among Hindus and her true
colors are now showing.
murtaz
> BUYING FLATS IN MUMBAI-DO CERTAIN COMMUNITIES FACE BIAS?
> 22 Aug 2008, 0657 hrs IST,
obviously she would be discriminated against.
would YOU want this annoying female living in your society?
it has nothing to do with being Muslim, it has everything to do with
being Shabana Azmi
uNmaiviLambi
I fully agree with you. If more and more people can understand all
this, Bharat will be truly free. We can progress