Singer from Kashmir evicted from his House in Mumbai for being Kashmiri

Aadil Gurezi, a Kashmiri singer, who came back to his rented home after a month, came to know that he has been driven out of his house due to the ongoing crisis in the valley.

However, After intervention of social activists and police officials, Gurezi was offered back his accommodation, but he is reluctant to return due to his bitter experience.

Aadil Gurezi, a 24 year old has become an internet sensation for his singing. He is known for singing Kashmiri, Sufi and Hindi songs. Gurezi’s music video on YouTube, Dupte Nunem, has over one crore views. Gurezi shifted to Mumbai around a year ago for better opportunities and had got rented accommodation at Lokhandwala in Andheri West.

On August 1, Gurezi left Mumbai for his home in Bandipura and returned on September 3. In between, Jammu and Kashmir had gone through a lot after abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution. When he returned, he was told by brokers Dinesh Rajpoot and Rashid Ali Khan that he cannot share accommodation referring to the problem in the Valley.

“I was shaken. I had no other place to go,” Gurezi said. “I even told them that I will go to the media and police. But that didn’t deter them. The broker said ‘do whatever you want’,” he added.

He then went on to stay at one of his friend’s place. Gurezi’s friends wrote about the incident on social media that Mumbai Police chief Sanjay Barve took note of and he asked Versova police station to look into the matter. Senior police officials spoke to the brokers and owner Mohammed Ali Budhwani and the issue was resolved.

However, Gurezi is still staying with a friend in the same locality. “The matter was resolved only after police intervention. Now, they are calling me as they are feeling the pressure.”

“I have not gone there. I may not be comfortable. They may be under pressure now, but tomorrow you never know!”

Jatin Desai, Veteran peace activist, who also intervened in the case, said, “The incident has ended on a positive note. This has given a lot of confidence to Kashmiris staying across the country.”