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MUMBAI, INDIA, April 13, 2003: Militantly vegetarian housing societies are turning away non-vegetarians by the dozens, all over the city. The hardest hit are the traditionally meat-eating Maharashtrans. Some are offering to pay extra to set off their culinary disadvantage, but no luck. Other societies are even asking buyers to submit notarized statements declaring their veggie inclinations. Where commercial space is available, hotel and restaurant owners also can buy space only for pure-vegetarian eateries. Of course, nothing is on paper. These societies’ bylaws are mum on this enforced vegetarianism. “They’re playing safe. This way, no one can challenge them,” says Greta Tauro, a consumer activist who was turned away by a Santacruz society. “They wouldn’t sell me a flat because I eat meat. The builder simply refused to listen. Just kept asking if I’d give an undertaking that I will not cook, bring or eat nonvegetarian food in the premises of the society,” she says. Ashok R. Khamkar was also shown the door. “I was refused a flat in a housing society in Chivda Galli, Lalbaug, because I am a nonvegetarian Maharashtran. Jains, Gujaratis and Rajasthanis are buying up the area, but local Maharashtrans can’t shift to better homes,” he says

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