East Delhi Muslims allege gas agency discrimination amid shortage
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New Delhi: Residents in Brahmpuri, East Delhi, have accused a local gas agency of refusing to sell LPG cylinders to Muslims on religious grounds, exacerbating a severe shortage in the area.
According to locals, the bias emerged recently; many received deliveries until last month but now face hours-long waits or outright refusals days after booking. The agency has reportedly been closed for two days, leaving families desperate.
"I've been making daily rounds," one resident said. "Yesterday, things even reached the point where they was about to be an assault, that’s when someone whispered in my ear that the shop is under orders not to provide service to Muslims here and told me to get a connection installed somewhere else instead."
A woman confronting staff over the alleged bias was interrupted by a bystander: "Whether Hindu or Muslim, everyone needs a gas cylinder. What does it have to do with being a Hindu, or a Muslim? Everyone needs one"
Others reported paying in advance 15 days ago without delivery, flashing order confirmations and receipts. "We are coming here to wait in lines after leaving our jobs. Multiple elderly women are also here trying to get a cylinder," one man said.
Residents said police complaints have been futile, with the agency owner dodging personal appearances and ignoring the crisis.