I hope the author understands the difference between discrimination based on religion and culture and that between foof habits.
Are not smokers being not allowed to smoke in public places now? Similarly, cooking fish (which stinks!) can be a reason for not being allowed in a housing colony.
This is how it works in many parts of the world: A settlement / colony which is dominated by one section of people wont like a stranger there. Be it in US, Germany (the two which I know) or in Britain. Let's not get into the communal violence stuff. But I think what we lack in India is an 'Indian' outlook. The government (or rather, politicians, like Sonia, Advani, Mulayam...) are doing their best to ensure that we will never feel like Indians. Our first feelings about ourselves is that of a Hindu or a Muslim or a Sikh. Reservations based on castes, languages etc have further deepened this. So long we have these things going through our mind, we have a Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Tamil, Gujju or Punjabi colonies! The day we have a uniform civilian code in India (which details out the restrictions / benefits for all like: one child policy, religious non-interference, reservations based on economic status rather than the caste or language), you can find a home in a Hindu locality, my friend!
My friend, i guess you forgot Gujarat too soon. Dont you remember what was the fate of the muslims living in hindu localities in Gujarat in aftermath of godhra? I guess i would rather want to be buried. I know it is a hindu custom to burn the dead, but in gujarat the hindus kinda forgot this small detail, so they burnt the muslims alive. As for me, in India, i would never live in a hindu locality, even though i have very close acquaintances, colleagues etc. but what would those poor people do when it comes to rioting hindus like in mumbai and gujarat. At least in a muslims society, you have a feeling of security and they might think twice before entering them (i say this statement with a bit reluctance after the police in gujarat even proved these statements wrong)
I wish to share my feelings with you. I am a Hindu Brahmin and have number of muslim friends. I even have enjoyed Iftkar with them with their families in their respective homes. But, I can nhot stand when some one is cooking beef or smell which I or my family members can not stand to. Culture takes a major part in our life and we all have our respective cultures.
Living together does not mean living in a same locality or same premises. We all Indians are brothers, even brothers have their own and different ideology, taste and likings. So accusing Hindus will not serve the purpose. Let us live together with our own identity, likings and dislikings.
You are giving wrong message from your experience. As you have noticed there are differences among Hindus like Gujarti, Maharashtrian, Brahmins, Veg, non-veg and a lot. It is mentality of a common man in India whether he is Muslim or Hindu or rich or poor. This need to be changed but it has nothing to do about staying in Hindu locality. In your honest experience you must have noticed that there were Hindus helping to Muslims in riots. We should try to bring our friends from different religions and societies together, but please dont spread hatred among them by giving wrong messages.
