Shireen Mirza Is Struggling To Get An Apartment In Mumbai & The Reason Is SO Sad!

Shireen Mirza, an Indian TV actress who plays Simi in Ekta Kapoor’s Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, has been facing issues while looking for a rental apartment in Mumbai. The actress comes from Jaipur and has been living in Mumbai for the last eight years and is appalled that a city which boasts itself on its cosmopolitan character, is divided on religion, profession and marital status.

The Balaji actress shared her agony in a detailed post on Facebook and Instagram on Tuesday. She wrote, “I don’t deserve to get a house in Mumbai because I’m M B A – MUSLIM, BACHELOR, ACTOR.”

She shared her words with a supporting picture which was taken when she came to Mumbai. “This pic was taken when I came here with a dream of living in Mumbai and now after spending almost 8 years in this city this is what I get to hear… Firstly, Yes I’m an Actor and I do not Smoke or drink and I have no criminal records. So, How can they judge my character on the basis of my profession?”

She further revealed that she’s asked for higher rents by brokers because she’s single and being a Muslim stands as barrier in getting a home. With such revelations, we find out how difficult it is to fight discriminations based on class, caste or religion. Despite “secular” claims, our country is moving towards an opposite direction, where a girl is struggling to get herself a home. Looks like being able to pay your bills is not the only achievement a girl needs to get a house on rent.

Shireen added, “Second, I’m a bachelor and when I call brokers they ask me higher rents for the flats which are available saying Pay extra or u won’t get it since ur a Bachelor. My question is nuisance can be created by families too. Third, I called up another person and they ask me whether I am a Hindu or a Muslim and reverted back with an answer that Muslims are not preferred. They also mentioned that take the flat on ur friend’s name who’s not a Muslim. I mean what’s in a name? There’s no difference in the blood.

Renting or buying a property in the city that never sleeps. Mumbai which prides itself on its cosmopolitan character is divided on basis of religion, profession and marital status?? I’m shocked to see that Mumbai which has given me so much that I don’t stop praising about Mumbai by calling it Aamchi Mumbai still doesn’t have a place for me and so many of us coming from out of town still struggling with identity crisis.

With a heavy heart and after many refusals my question is – Do I belong to this city?”

While everyone understands the concerns of the owner of a house, we must also remember that we’re humans who are dealing with other humans, we need to be more liberal and sensitive. Not having a home because you’re judged on attributes you cannot control is demeaning. Right to live in a desired home can’t be denied on the basis of somebody’s religion, marital status or profession. We can’t have an apartment if we don’t have a man? That’s such an illogical way to judge a woman. We, as girls are responsible enough and we’ve done enough to prove that, haven’t we? A landlord asks for 20k, we earn that amount and we pay and that should be it. We prefer living our life on our terms and we also respect our landlord’s requests of maintaining a certain lifestyle and that should be it. No other criteria of judgement is needed!

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