Anirudh Kejriwal’s journey from Mumbai to Gujarat’s GIFT City turns sour as caste discrimination dashes his hopes and threatens investment.
Team Clarion
AHMEDABAD – Dazzled by the promise of Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) and its potential, Anirudh Kejriwal, a Vice President at JP Morgan, finds himself embroiled in caste discrimination in his pursuit to secure housing in the region. Kejriwal preferred Gujarat to Singapore, but all his hopes of a bright future have been shattered by the stark reality of prejudice.
In a heartfelt testimony shared on social media platform X, Kejriwal bared his anguish, addressing Gujarat Police, the state BJP, the chief minister, and other key stakeholders. “After years in Mumbai, I was drawn to Gujarat, enticed by the vision of GIFT City and the promising future our prime minister and government envisioned. It inspired me to take a significant leap, envisioning a life filled with hope and growth,” Kejriwal wrote on X.
However, his aspirations swiftly crumbled as he encountered hurdles in his pursuit of a home. “My dream turned into a nightmare. I am being denied the opportunity to move into my chosen residence, not due to any fault of mine, but solely because of my non-Gujarati heritage,” lamented Kejriwal, revealing the depth of discrimination he faced.
Kejriwal’s plight underscores the persistent societal barriers that plague India, as he highlighted in a subsequent tweet, where he decried the prevalence of casteism. “Even if I manage to gain entry, I’m cautioned that happiness will remain elusive, overshadowed by impending troubles. It’s a bitter realisation. Opting for Gujarat over my life in Mumbai and the allure of Singapore, I never fathomed encountering such discrimination,” the JP Morgan VP wrote.
With resolve, Kejriwal declared his intention to pursue legal recourse to reclaim his rights and investments, underscoring the gravity of his predicament. His social media post swiftly gained traction, eliciting a range of responses from netizens.
Expressing empathy, one user conveyed solidarity with Kejriwal, acknowledging the harsh realities of Gujarat. “So sorry to hear about what you had to go through, Anirudh! But this is one of the sad realities of staying in Gujarat! Hope you and your family are fine!” the user empathised.
Echoing sentiments of dismay, another user denounced the prevalence of discrimination in Gujarat, particularly within the ostensibly progressive GIFT City. “Surprised as for the first time in the history Gujarat has relaxed its prohibition policy just for GIFT City. All this proves how deeply rooted casteist society we are. Hope your issue gets resolved soon. Discrimination based on religion or caste is a disgrace for GIFT City,” the user decried.
Amidst the discourse, a call for inclusivity and progress emerged, with a user advocating for Gujarat to embrace diversity and become a beacon of cosmopolitanism. “Hope better sense prevails. Hope Gujarat leads the way by welcoming caste/cultural differences to grow into a cosmopolitan destination with ample opportunities for everyone!” the user urged, underscoring the imperative for societal evolution.
As Kejriwal’s quest for justice unfolds, his ordeal serves as a poignant reminder of the entrenched societal prejudices that persist, even within the corridors of progress. His courage in speaking out against injustice ignites a crucial dialogue, urging society to confront and dismantle the barriers of discrimination that obstruct the path to true inclusivity and progress.
