Such incidents reflect a worrying trend even among educated individuals, leaving common people vulnerable to similar mistreatment.
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
LUCKNOW – Polarisation has systematically and deliberately been allowed to run deep in the country since the Hindutva exponents have started their reign. Things have now come to such a pass that a catering contractor in Uttar Pradesh has his payment partially withheld simply because he had hired Muslim waitresses for a wedding function.
The issue came to light as Pradeep Kumar Gupta, a resident of Pawanpuri Lane in Alambagh in the state capital and owner of Yash Caters, lodged a complaint against his customer at the Alambagh police station.
The complainant said he was engaged for catering at the wedding of Madanlal Vajpayee’s daughter. However, out of the agreed-upon Rs 4,25,000 payment, Gupta alleged that a sum of Rs 70,550 remains unpaid.
According to Gupta, when he pursued the pending payment with Madanlal Vajpayee, he was confronted with unexpected questions. Madanlal reportedly inquired about the caste of the waitresses who served at the event and insisted on knowing their names. Shockingly, Gupta claims that Madanlal expressed objection solely because the hired waitresses belonged to the Muslim community and declared that the remaining payment would not be released.
The police, led by Inspector Shivmangal, have initiated an investigation into the matter, emphasising that if guilt is established, strict actions will be taken against the accused.
Gupta and Vajpayee are no strangers with the latter earlier availing services of the caterer without any hitch. The sudden change in Vajpayee’s attitude has raised questions about the real motives.
Local correspondent Safi Ahmed, speaking over the phone with Clarion India, expressed concern over the apparent discrimination against Muslims across the country. He highlighted the broader implications of such incidents, suggesting that they reflect a worrying trend even among educated individuals, leaving common people vulnerable to similar mistreatment.
