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NEW DELHI: Noted Indian actress, Member of Parliament and renowned social activist Shabana Azmi revealed that she and her husband Javed Akhtar could not buy a flat in Indian city of Mumbai due to religious discrimination.
In an interview with local TV, Azmi said with a tinge of bitterness: 'I cannot get a house in Mumbai. I wanted to buy a flat in Mumbai and it wasn't given to me because I was a Muslim and I read the same about Saif Ali Khan.'
'Now, I mean, if Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi cannot get a flat in Mumbai because they are Muslims, then what are we talking about?,' said Azmi.
Noted Bollywood actor Shabana Azmi felt that she was unhappy that there was discrimination against the Muslim community in India. Muslims were being forced to move to Jewish areas because of religious prejudice, she said.
Azmi further said Inda was cener of controversies and disputes while Muslims were serving the country in a better way. Khans heroes are ruling the industry, she commented.
Apprehending that the lingering Kashmir crisis could lead to a Hindu-Muslim divide elsewhere in the country, Azmi, also a noted social activist, sounded bitter for being unable to buy a house in Mumbai because she is a Muslim.
She said that Indian democracy lacks the understanding of security for minorities while Indian politics makes only 'token gestures' to Muslims but never addresses the 'real issues' afflicting them.
'I think there is not enough understanding of the fact that in a democracy how you treat the security of the minority must be a very important part for the success of a democracy,' she said. 'You cannot only make token gestures. Token gestures are made, but real issues are never addressed.'
Responding to a query on her feelings about the Western perception of 'Islam as a threat and Muslims as figures of fear and hate', Azmi said she felt 'exasperation, anger, hurt and bewilderment'.
She also blamed politicians for promoting a stereotype image of the Muslim community and stifling their moderate and liberal voices, but added that there was a fledgling resurgence of liberalism in the community.
Meanwhile, Indian politician, responding to Shabana Azmi’s allegations, said Muslims were given the key positions in India including President, Chief Justice and captain of cricket team while Khan heroes were ruling the film industry. |
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