As people across the country gear up to celebrate Navratri, allegations have surfaced in Telangana that dandiya event organisers are boycotting Muslim bouncers by refusing to hire them.
The claims have triggered a political controversy, with Hyderabad MP and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi condemning the alleged discrimination and calling for strict police action.
Meanwhile, T Raja Singh, an MLA suspended from the BJP, has defended the purported move to deploy only Hindu bouncers at dandiya events.
‘FIGHTING FOR EMPLOYMENT, NOT RELIGION’
The controversy prompted representatives of bouncer agencies, along with a collective of Hindu and Muslim security personnel, in Hyderabad to publicly appeal for equal employment opportunities.
At a press conference held earlier this month, they jointly said the issue concerns the livelihoods of scores of people rather than religion.
Mohammad Feroz, also known as Fazal, who spoke on behalf of the collective, said the alleged boycott of Muslim bouncers was affecting hundreds of people in the private security industry who depend on festival-season assignments for their livelihoods.
“We are fighting for employment, not for religion. Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Sikhs should all get equal opportunities. Nobody should be denied work because of their name or religious identity,” he said.
Feroz said he subsequently approached Owaisi, requesting him to raise the issue publicly and draw attention to the alleged discrimination.
“Our intention was not to seek personal support from any political leader. We wanted this issue to reach the public and ensure that people understand that employment should not be linked to religion,” he said.
This story was originally published in indiatoday.in. Read the full story here.
