A Muslim doctor couple had purchased a new house in an upscale area of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
However, local Hindu neighbors did not allow them to move in, claiming that the area is predominantly Hindu and they do not wish to let people from other communities live there.
According to the British news outlet BBC, a video of the residents’ protest circulated on social media, sparking outrage across the country.
In the video, a neighbor named Megha Arora is heard saying, “We cannot allow a Muslim family to live in front of our temple. It is also a matter of safety for our women.”
The house’s previous owner, Dr. Ashok Bajaj, said that a compromise was reached, and the Muslim couple agreed to resell the house to a Hindu family.
Dr. Ashok, however, expressed his disappointment, saying, “This incident shows how the environment in our city is changing. I never expected this.”
Tanvir Aijaz, a professor of politics and policy at Delhi University, told the BBC, “Religious polarization is now taking root in cities as well as villages. This is entirely unconstitutional and a violation of fundamental human rights.” The incident has drawn widespread condemnation on social media.
John Brittas, a Member of Parliament from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter), “We always pride ourselves on ‘unity in diversity.’ But incidents like this should make us ashamed.”
Notably, religious minorities, especially Muslims, have faced discrimination in India for many years. Human rights organizations allege that such incidents have increased under BJP rule.
The Moradabad incident is not merely about selling a house but serves as a stark example of growing religious intolerance in India, challenging the fundamental values enshrined in the Constitution.
