MORADABAD: Tensions flared in the upscale TDI City housing society in Moradabad on Tuesday night as residents protested the sale of a house to a Muslim doctor by her Hindu colleague. Women and other residents of the Hindu-majority colony, which houses around 450 Hindu families, demanded the cancellation of the registration, citing concerns over potential demographic changes and fears of Hindu families leaving the area.

The Incident

The house, located in TDI City on Kanth Road, was sold by Dr. Ashok Bajaj, a Hindu doctor, to Dr. Ikra Chaudhary, a Muslim doctor. The transaction sparked controversy among residents, who alleged that Dr. Bajaj did not inform anyone before the sale. Protesters claimed the deal "violated the social harmony" of the gated community, which had no Muslim families before this transaction.

Payal Rastogi, one of the protesters, said, "Dr. Bajaj sold his house to a non-Hindu without consulting us. We live here peacefully, and now we fear this could lead to demographic changes. We have lodged a complaint with the district administration and local police."

Another resident, Pallavi, expressed concern over the potential ripple effects of the sale: "We have no enmity with any community. But if such sales continue, Hindus might start leaving, and the entire system here will change."

Concerns of the Residents

Women participating in the protest raised fears about similar incidents in other areas leading to the exodus of Hindu families. One woman stated, "If one house is sold, others might follow, and soon this colony will lose its identity."

Official Response

Moradabad District Magistrate Anuj Kumar Singh confirmed receiving complaints from the residents and assured that the administration and police are working to resolve the matter peacefully. "We are in talks with both parties to maintain communal harmony," Singh said. Neither Dr. Bajaj nor Dr. Chaudhary were available for comment at the time of reporting.

Previous Similar Incidents

This incident follows a similar controversy in Muzaffarnagar in September, where residents of a Hindu-majority colony protested against a Muslim lawyer purchasing a bank-auctioned house. In that case, local Hindu groups tore down banners and posters from the purchased house, threatening to leave the area if Muslims moved in.

The Larger Issue

The protests in TDI City highlight deep-seated tensions surrounding demographic shifts in residential areas. While residents cite fears of losing their community’s "character," the matter has raised broader questions about property rights and communal harmony.

The district administration is currently mediating between the parties involved, but the incident underscores the challenges of addressing communal concerns in diverse urban societies.