Vadodara, June 14: A 44-year-old Muslim woman, employed with an arm of the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Skill Development, has faced sustained opposition from residents of Vadodara's Harni area after being allotted a dwelling unit in the Vadodara Municipal Corporation’s (VMC) low-income group housing complex.

Indian Express reported that the unit was allotted under the Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana in 2017, and the woman initially looked forward to moving in with her son into what she hoped would be an inclusive neighbourhood. However, she has encountered repeated protests from residents opposing her presence on religious grounds with society residents saying that “this is a Hindu-dominated peaceful area” and her presence could be a potential “threat and nuisance.” Uttar Pradesh: Group Harasses Muslim Family, Forcibly Hurls Colour on Them During Holi Celebration in Bijnor's Dhampur; Police React After Video Goes Viral.

In March 2019, 33 residents of the 462-unit housing complex filed a complaint with the District Collector and other authorities, objecting to a Muslim moving in. They cited potential “threat and nuisance” due to her presence. The woman is the only Muslim allottee in the complex, as confirmed by officials. Muslim Reservation Will Continue in Andhra Pradesh, Says BJP's Ally TDP Ahead of NDA Government Formation (Watch Video).

Vadodara Municipal Commissioner Dilip Rana was unavailable for comment, while Deputy Municipal Commissioner Arpit Sagar and Executive Engineer for Affordable Housing Nileshkumar Parmar also refused to comment on the issue.

The protests began in 2020 when the residents wrote to the Chief Minister’s Office, seeking to invalidate her house allotment. Harni police recorded statements from all parties and closed the complaint. Yet, the opposition persisted, culminating in another protest on June 10, 2023.

“I have grown up in a mixed neighborhood in Vadodara and my family never believed in the concept of ghettos,” she told The Indian Express. “I always wanted my son to grow up in an inclusive neighborhood but my dreams have been shattered. The discrimination will affect him mentally.”

The 33 signatories demanded the woman's house allotment be invalidated and suggested she be shifted to another housing scheme. Their memorandum to the authorities claimed, “Harni area is a Hindu-dominated peaceful area and there is no settlement of muslims in the periphery of about four kilometres… It is like setting fire to the peaceful life of 461 families.”

One signatory stated, “It is the fault of the VMC that they have not cross-checked the credentials of the allottee.” They argued that residents chose the colony because it was a Hindu neighborhood, expressing discomfort with a minority family as neighbors.

An immediate neighbor added that the issue was not just about dietary differences but also religious identity, sparking concern among residents.

The woman, currently living with her parents and son in another area of Vadodara, remains resolute. “I do not wish to sell off my hard-earned property just because of this opposition. I will wait… I have repeatedly tried to seek time with the managing committee of the colony but they do not respond.”

Despite these challenges, another resident expressed solidarity, deeming it unfair to judge someone without interaction. VMC housing department officials noted that government housing schemes do not segregate applicants by religion, and suggested the matter be resolved through mutual discussion or legal channels.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 14, 2024 03:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).