In Naroda Patia job market, riot survivors are a no-no

The 2002 riots that took a heavy toll on Muslims of Naroda Patia served as a double whammy for the community: they not only lost life and property, they also faced discrimination in terms of employment in the neighbourhood.

After the riots, many had to migrate to other nearby areas as they could not get jobs in their own area.

For example, Munvaar Saiyyad, a resident of Naroda Patia, had to migrate to Vatva because he failed to get work in his own area. Kamaal Hussain and few of his friends joined hands to start their own drawstring making unit after they remained jobless for years.

If residents of Naroda Patia are to be believed, no Muslim is accepted in the nearby area for any work. From the locality of around 1,000 households, almost 200 families have migrated in last few years, while many others are looking for opportunities.

The remaining are either self-employed or they travel to other parts of the city for work. And many as 300 families had migrated out of the area till 2007.

Before 2002 riots, the Muslims from the area easily got work in small factories, undergarment units, tailoring units, garages and even as domestic helps. But after the riots, the percentage of Muslims working in these units has drastically gone down. Most of the skilled labour force in Naroda, Kubernagar, Patia, Saijpur, Krishnanagar and Nayannagar were Muslims till 2002.

There are many families who have sold their houses, while others have given their houses on rent and themselves are living in rented houses elsewhere.

“My landlord, Munvaar, is living in a rented house in Vatva. He has given his house on rent to me,” said Moiuddin, a resident of Naroda-Patia. According to a rough estimate, at least 300 such families have given their houses on rent and shifted to other areas.

Local resident Nazir Pathan told DNA that many people have started their own workshops. He said there is no problem of communal tension but  nearby units are not allowing Muslims to work.

“People are either rickshaw drivers or run small eateries, where most of their customers are Muslims,” another resident said. They interact a little with non-Muslims of the area. “We are still struggling for our acceptance in the area,” said Kamaal Hussain. Hussain, who lives behind Noorani Masjid, struggles a lot to get work to his unit.

Recollecting the riot ghost, Hussain says: “Drawstring worth Rs4 lakh was burnt along with my house. I somehow managed to escape with my family.” When he returned to his place after a few months, Hussain initially tried to do some labour work but later he managed to start a drawstring manufacturing unit in partnership. Most of the people have shifted to Narol, Vatva and Juhapura. Those who managed to get some financial help shifted to Dariapur and Kalupur.