Hashmi takes a U-turn on flat row

“The dispute between me and the members of Nibbana housing society has been resolved. The society had not discriminated against me. There had been a miscommunication,” Hashmi, who had sparked a furore with his allegation of religious profiling, told reporters after a hearing on his complaint at the State Minorities Commission.

Hashmi’s lawyer Majeed Memon said that a broker Jagjit Arora had told the 34-year-old actor that the society had refused to sell the flat as Hashmi was a Muslim.
“The secretary of the society on Monday told Emraan that they had not discriminated against the actor and that if anyone in the building wants to sell their flat then Emraan can buy it,” Memon said.

Secretary J P Chatri told the Commission that “they would not refuse the actor on religious grounds as there are several other Muslims residing in the building,” the lawyer said.
The owner of the flat D U Suvarna, who was also present during the hearing, said he would be more than happy to sell the flat to the actor who is like a “son” to him. “I have not decided on what I will do with my flat. But if I decide to sell the flat then my first choice would be Hashmi,” Suvarna said.

On July 31, Hashmi had approached the Minorities Commission accusing the housing society at Pali Hill of religious discrimination by not providing the no objection certificate (NOC)  to purchase a flat in the society. The society houses film and television actors, including Prem Chopra.

“The issue has been blown out of proportion by the media. It was a miscommunication and has been resolved after all the parties sat across the table on Monday,” Naseem Siddiqui, chairman of the Minorities Commission said.