FIR against company for saying ‘no job for Muslim’

MUMBAI: A first information report has been filed against a Mumbai company that is said to have denied an MBA graduate a job because he was a Muslim.

“I had sent my application to Hare Krishna Exports at 5:45 pm on May 19. They replied to me within 15 minutes that my application was rejected. It was just a oneline email that said, ‘We regret to inform you that we hire only non-Muslim candidates’.

I was shocked because this cannot be the reason for denying someone a job,” said Zeeshan Ali Khan, 22. The reply was uploaded on Facebook by Khan, receiving wide publicity.

The next day Hare Krishna’s Mahendra S Deshmukh sent an email to Khan that the reason provided had been a “typing error” and that the company doesn’t discriminate on the grounds of religion. “Inconvenience regretted if you have been hurt,” the email concluded.

Khan said he wouldn’t want to work at the company, even if it offered him a job. “I don’t need an apology, nor do I need a job from this firm,” he said. “All I want is for this mindset to change that discriminates against Muslims.”

The company didn’t respond to queries sent by ET. It has said that it employs several Muslims, according to reports.

Maharashtra minority welfare minister Eknath Khadse said an inquiry would be conducted.