Management graduate Zeshan Ali Khan applied for an opening in the company on May 19. However, the company replied to him saying that they hire only non-Muslim candidates. (Source: ANI/Twitter) Management graduate Zeshan Ali Khan applied for an opening in the company on May 19. However, the company replied to him saying that they hire only non-Muslim candidates. (Source: ANI/Twitter)

Fingers are being raised at regional chauvinism as the root of the bias against a Muslim candidate denied employment on religious grounds two days ago.

BMC councillor and Samajwadi Party leader Rais Shaikh blamed the Gujarati community for denial of job to Zeshan Khan, basing his argument on allegations that the firm was owned by the Gujarati community. Shaikh also blamed the Gujarati and Jain communities for using political clout to propound vegetarianism at the cost of other faiths and alleged that their political clout was behind the recent beef ban.

“It is Gujaratis who started the vegetarian and non-vegetarian politics in the city” he said.

“The company that denied employment to Zeshan Khan because he is a Muslim is owned by Gujaratis. The Jain and Gujarati communities are behind the beef ban. These communities refuse to rent or sell their houses to Muslims. Why the discrimination based on religion? The city is known for its cosmopolitan culture and everything should be done to preserve it,” Shaikh said.

Shaikh said the beef ban is an injustice to the Muslim community. He said fish and chicken, too, should be banned as that too amounts to killing of animals.

Agreeing with Shaikh about politically motivated vegetarianism, Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant said non-vegetarian Hindus are also denied jobs and accommodation but only when it concerns a Muslim does it catch people’s attention.

“The moment the word Muslim is uttered, everyone gets concerned. Nobody bothers to see how many Hindus suffer due to the same bias… I agree with Shaikh. These steps are politically motivated,” said Sawant.

dipti.singh@expressindia.com

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