Top Hindu builder ties up with Muslim investor for a huge minority housing society in Ahmedabad

By Rajiv Shah 

There is a flutter in Ahmedabad's Vejalpur area, derogatorily referred to as the "border" because, on its eastern side, there is a sprawling minority area called Juhapura, where around five lakh Muslims live. The segregation is so stark that virtually no Muslim lives in Vejalpur, populated by around four lakh Hindus, and no Hindu lives in Juhapura.

In fact, declared a "disturbed area" under a Gujarat law, no Muslim can buy property in Vejalpur, and no Hindu can buy property in Juhapura. Ironically, even when a Hindu wants to buy property in Vejalpur, he or she must obtain administrative approval, which often takes three to four months—possibly to "ascertain" that the buyer is not masquerading as a Muslim.

Now, coming to the flutter I referred to at the beginning of this blog: Considered one of the most prestigious and reputable builder groups, the Bakeris—who have developed around a dozen societies in Vejalpur, housing around 15,000 people—have surprised Vejalpur residents by deciding to build a huge housing society in the vacant area beyond Vejalpur, tying up with a prominent Muslim builder.

A huge billboard has been displayed on the main road leading to the Juhapura-Sarkhej area, and its image is widely shared on social media. A social worker in Juhapura told me the reason why the Bakeris entered into a partnership with a Muslim builder: there is a huge demand for "decent" flats among Muslims, many of whom are willing to shell out Rs 1.25 crore to Rs 1.60 crore for three- or four-bedroom flats.

"A recently built three-bedroom apartment in the area was sold out in no time, each for Rs 1.25 crore. The Bakeris' plan appears to be to build 500 houses for Muslims," he said, adding, "This is perhaps the first time a top builder has decided to build a housing society specifically for Muslims. And, to be 'safe,' they have entered into a partnership with a Muslim builder."

Meanwhile, social media users are buzzing with words and phrases like "shocking," "problematic," "not good for the valuation of our flats," "another community next door—that's not good for us," "for the Bakeris, it might be business, but it's surprising that the local government and public allowed it," and "all society members should unite, talk, and oppose this."

Indeed, it is common for many Hindus to avoid buying flats in the Vejalpur area close to the so-called border, as they, for some reason, carry a sense of insecurity. Yet, since flats nearer to the "border" are relatively cheaper than in other parts of Ahmedabad, people often choose this area to live in.

I will end my blog with what happened more than two decades ago. A college friend had come from Delhi, and belonging to a well-to-do Muslim family, he asked me if he could invest money in a plot of land. Then working with the Times of India, I sought the help of a Bakeri Group PRO and introduced my friend to a senior executive, hoping he could invest.

We had a cosy discussion for about half an hour, and he selected a plot in a farmhouse project the Bakeris had developed as a weekend home. Even as we parted ways, I noticed the senior executive getting a little nervous. The next day, I received a phone call from him. He told me, "Kindly, politely tell your friend we can't sell the plot to him. We don't sell to Muslims."

Decades later, have the Bakeris experienced a change of heart? They have decided to build a full-scale housing society for Muslims. I joked with a friend: "What is this project about? Hindu-Muslim ekta (unity) complex?" He laughed, "That's would be a good poster, worth pasting it outside the proposed site... My dear, it's pure business—nothing else for the Bakeris."