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Shabana Azmi’s disclosure that she and Javed Akhtar were refused flats in Mumbai because they were Muslims sparked vehement nationwide debate, but driven more by emotionalism than cogent argument, and in my opinion bypassed the crux of the problem.

The veracity of Shabana’s statement need hardly be established. There are scores of Muslims in Mumbai who have since offered corroboration publicly, and hundreds of scores others who share the experience, but have been silent either out of choice or lack of opportunity. I can add a couple of my own experiences which will not add substantially to what has already been said. But is that the real issue?

Not quite. I think we are shirking from confronting the fact that the Mumbai mindset remains beleaguered and apprehensive even 15 years after the 1992-93 riots and the bomb blasts that followed. The trauma of those sordid days may have been sublimated to the extent that discussions about it have vacated everyday conversations, but clearly the mindset has not yet been cleansed. Fact is, we are still struggling to break away from the sordid past.

As I see it, the difficulty quotient for a Muslim to find a house in Mumbai is not the core matter, but its manifestation. Legally, as also with cultural/religious legitimacy, people might want to define their exclusivity when it comes to buying homes or setting up societies, educational institutions and clubs. Homogenous groups find solace and comfort in cohabiting together, which is hardly contestable even if undesirable in liberal thought.

But when this is done with prejudice and bigotry it sows the dangerous seeds of emotional and social conflict between segments of the same society. In such situations, common sense and rational argument are hit for a six. When this happens, any camouflage wears thin, and the problem can extend to ridiculous extremes.

For instance, I have a doctor friend who struggled to get a credit card for himself because of his surname and where he lived. That he was a highly qualified, sufficiently well-earning professional did not seem to cut any ice with the bank: his faith and his address became the main issues.

There was also the story (which thankfully found prompt and adequate representation in the media) about a renowned South Mumbai college which tried to parry away admission inquiries from Muslim girls because they “frequently drop out because they get married while studying”.

A few years ago, I was at a dinner party where the son of a prominent Maharashtra politician argued that bloodlust was intrinsic to Muslims because “from childhood they see goats being cut for Bakri Eid”. This in between devouring a hefty piece of tandoori chicken!

Obviously, this is not a one-sided drama. I interviewed actor Naseeruddin Shah recently when he discussed his trauma at the narrow interpretation of Islam today, which oftentimes starts in childhood. To believe that all Muslims will go to heaven and ‘kafirs’ to hell is a story that is as dangerous as it is ludicrous.

Ignorance, dogma and fear become strong determinants of ‘community character’ when a society is in turmoil. The breakdown of mutual trust tends to harden negative perceptions about the other and creates stereotypes which could lead to naked hatred at its extreme and ostracisation at its mildest. This finds expression in Mumbai life every now and then.

Is there a way out of a grave, seemingly hopeless situation? Thankfully, human history offers as much hope as despair. At the core, we would prefer peace to conflict otherwise the human race would have exterminated itself by now. There is no magic wand to heal deep wounds. But honest introspection and sensible inter-faith dialogue can make a balm that can work magic. Provided, of course, there is the will.

In that context, Shabana Azmi’s travails about finding a house in Mumbai should not be seen as just an opportunity to debate the whys and wherefores of laws governing the buying of property in Mumbai. That is a minor issue. The main one is for the city to exorcise the demons of 1992-93. Once and for all, no matter how painful it will be.

Email: ayaz@dnaindia.net