JP Morgan’s Vice President, Anirudh Kejriwal has alleged that he faced caste discrimination during the purchase of a flat at a residential society in Gujarat’s GIFT City. He decided to buy a house near Koba in Gandhinagar which is close to GIFT city. He chose Gujarat over Singapore, inspired by GIFT City’s vision, but now he claimed that he is facing caste discrimination in the society.
He wrote on X, “After living in Mumbai for years, I decided to move to Gujarat, choosing it over an opportunity in Singapore. I was captivated by the promise of GIFT City and the grand vision our PM and government laid out for us. It inspired me so much that I took a big step and decided to buy my first house here, dreaming of a future filled with hope and growth”. However, he added that his excitement turned into a heartbreak.
Anirudh Kejriwal’s Posts on X:
Anirudh took Social Media to express his anguish and described it as a “Nightmare”.
Shocked to face blatant caste discrimination in Sant Vihar 1 Society, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. My attempt to buy a flat turned into a nightmare as society's management is barring my entry due to caste. #Gandhinagar #Gujarat #CasteDiscrimination @GujaratPolice @CMOGuj…
— Anirudh Kejriwal (@AnirudhKejriwal) February 24, 2024
He shared his grievances and tagged Gujarat Police, Gujarat BJP, Chief Minister of Gujarat, and various other stakeholders on the X platform to spread his message.
After living in Mumbai for years, I decided to move to Gujarat, choosing it over an opportunity in Singapore. I was captivated by the promise of GIFT City and the grand vision our PM and government laid out for us. It inspired me so much that I took a big step and decided to buy… https://t.co/3HNmc9BiWN
— Anirudh Kejriwal (@AnirudhKejriwal) February 25, 2024
“I’m facing unexpected challenges with my dream home, barred from moving in, not because of anything I have done, but because I wasn’t born Gujarati. Worse yet, I’m warned that even if I manage to get in, happiness will be out of reach, and troubles will follow. It’s a bitter pill to swallow. Choosing Gujarat, leaving behind my life in Mumbai, and the chance to move to Singapore, I never thought I’d face such discrimination. This experience has been nothing short of a nightmare,” Anirudh Kejriwal added.
The situation escalated quickly with nearly 30 people gathering, threatening me with dire consequences if I proceeded. They demanded proofs of ancestry and caste, to which, under pressure, I complied, hoping for a resolution. #Intimidation
— Anirudh Kejriwal (@AnirudhKejriwal) February 24, 2024
Anirudh added that he has been stopped from buying the flat because of “being a Kejriwal” and from “other caste”. “The situation escalated quickly with nearly 30 people gathering, threatening me with dire consequences if I proceeded,” Kejriwal wrote.
All my preparations, from financial investments to personal arrangements, are now in jeopardy due to this discrimination. The vision of an inclusive India feels tarnished in the very state leading India’s development narrative.
— Anirudh Kejriwal (@AnirudhKejriwal) February 24, 2024
“All my preparations, from financial investments to personal arrangements, are now in jeopardy due to this discrimination. The vision of an inclusive India feels tarnished in the very state leading India’s development narrative,” he added.
I am left with no option but to seek legal recourse to reclaim my rights and investment. But this incident raises a bigger question about societal norms and the real progress we have made towards eradicating caste discrimination.
— Anirudh Kejriwal (@AnirudhKejriwal) February 24, 2024
However, Kejriwal is determined to reclaim his rights and even pursue legal options if necessary.
Reports on Vibes Of India (VOI):
“I zeroed in on a house that I like at Sant Vihar I society. The house was going to cost me Rs 70 lacs. I gave Rs 35 lacs via a cheque to the house owner, Baldevbhai Patel from whom I was going to buy the house in a resale deed”, Anirudh told Vibes of India.
Even after providing a cheque, the house owner kept on delaying to give him the No Objection Certificate (NOC). According to Anirudh, the society with majority of Patels did not want a non Gujarati with a surname of Kejriwal buying a house. “I am a Hindu, I am a vegetarian, I told him”, Anirudh added.
By the time of Anirudh’s issue started spreading, Vibes of India (VOI) visited Sant Vihar Society and reported that the majority of residents were Patels. The society chairman, Laljibhai Patel told VOI that this was not an issue of caste or community discrimination but some personal problem between the house owner and the buyer.
Vibes of India also contacted Baldevbhai Patel, the owner of the house. He admitted that he received check from Anirudh Kejriwal of Rs 35 lacs. “I do not want to get into details. I will be returning his amount soon. I will not be selling the house”, he added.
X Users’ Support to Kejriwal:
Several users extended their support to Kejriwal.
One user commented, “I’m not surprised, despite all the claims of modernity the thinking of many people here is extremely backward. Caste-based discrimination is rampant in the real estate market”.
One more user wrote, “…This is one of the sad realities of staying in Gujarat! Hope you and your family are fine!”
“Nice you have tagged the right people. I am hoping some solution should come in,” another user wrote.
