Vadodara, June 14: A 44-year-old Muslim woman’s allotment of a dwelling unit under the Mukhya Mantri GRUH (Gujarat Rural Urban Housing) Yojana in Vadodara has sparked controversy among the residents of the Harni housing complex. Employed with the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Skill Development, the woman was overjoyed when she received the allotment in 2017. However, her joy was short-lived as 33 residents of the 462-unit complex submitted a written complaint to the District Collector and other authorities, objecting to her moving in due to her religious background.
The initial protests began in 2020 when residents petitioned the Chief Minister’s Office to invalidate her allotment, citing concerns over potential “threat and nuisance.” The Harni police station investigated and closed the complaint after recording statements from all parties. Despite this, protests resumed on June 10, 2024.
“I grew up in a mixed neighborhood and wanted my son to experience the same inclusive environment. These protests have shattered that dream,” the woman told The Indian Express. Her son, now in Class 12, has been mentally affected by the discrimination, she added.
The complaint by the Motnath Residency Cooperative Housing Services Society claims that allowing a Muslim family to reside in their predominantly Hindu neighborhood would disrupt the peace. The residents cited an “imminent law-and-order crisis” if she were allowed to move in.
An anonymous resident expressed discomfort with a minority family living next door, highlighting concerns beyond dietary preferences, focusing instead on religious differences. Another resident, however, expressed solidarity with the woman, emphasizing her legal right to the property as a beneficiary of a government scheme.
The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) officials reportedly stated that government housing schemes do not discriminate based on religion. The issue, they suggested, should be resolved through dialogue or legal avenues.
Despite facing opposition, the woman remains determined not to sell her property, citing her right to reside there. She currently lives with her parents and son in another part of Vadodara and awaits a resolution.
