Click to play videoAhmedabad: Juhapura suburb in Ahmedabad has often being linked to the communal violence in Gujarat. But the residents say they are victims of prejudice.
Mehrunissa Desai, a resident of Juhapura is in a fix if she needs cash at short notice.
That's because this Ahmedabad suburb does not have a single nationalised or private bank. There's not even an ATM in the area.
Juhapura has a largely Muslim population of about two and a half lakhs. And Desai says the residents feel ignored.
"In this era of globalisation, banks have a big role to play, but unfortunately, there’s no bank in our area. At times, we feel neglected," said Mehrunissa.
The issue has come up in the State Level Banking Committee (SLBC) meetings. Officials admit to fears related to the Gujarat riots. But they are hopeful that banks will soon open branches in Juhapura.
"Yes, there was apprehension among banks, as branches had been damaged during the riots. But Muslims are very much part of us, our society and we will open branches there," said Gujarat SLBC Convener Purshottam Kumar.
Most of the residents of Juhapura have been living in the suburb for the past 15 years, after being forced to flee from others parts of Ahmedabad during the communal riots in 1992 and 1993.
Residents say it's not just about banks and ATMs. It's a general apathy that the authorities have shown to the area. They feel it's a deliberate attempt to keep Juhapura without facilities.
"It has been blacklisted for loans, there is no proper water supply or road network too," said Nadeem Saiyed a resident of Juhapura.
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