A Chennai man’s hunt for a rental flat has reignited debate over food-based discrimination in city housing after he shared a landlord’s rejection citing his non-vegetarian standing. The incident has sparked divided reactions on-line, with some calling it veiled casteism and others defending the proprietor’s proper to decide on.
Prashanth Rangaswamy, a resident looking for flats in Chennai, shared a screenshot of a dialog with a potential landlord who turned him away. The message learn: “Sorry sir. Taking a look at veg households solely.”
Rangaswamy captioned his now-viral publish on X: “Consuming non-veg is injurious to discovering flats for hire in Chennai.” He later added, “Full convo – they’re instantly referring to caste. I mentioned I’ll utterly keep away from non-veg inside the home. Their concern isn’t me consuming non-veg. Their concern is concerning the caste.”
The dialog thread confirmed Rangaswamy assuring the owner that he wouldn’t cook dinner meat in the home and that he was “95% veg.” Regardless of this, the rejection got here hours later.
The problem has polarised social media customers. One consumer wrote: “I’ve been a vegetarian virtually all my life. I lived in Europe surrounded by meat eaters and by no means had a difficulty. However right here, these restrictions really feel ridiculous.”
One other argued that such preferences are a matter of consolation: “I’ve identified vegetarians who genuinely really feel sick across the scent of meat. If it’s about consolation, perhaps it is smart, to them, not less than.”
Nevertheless, some supported the owner’s choice. “His home, his guidelines. Purchase your personal and hire it to whoever you need,” one consumer acknowledged. One other added, “I’m non-vegetarian, and I’ve by no means had a difficulty discovering a spot in Chennai. Cook dinner meat, drink often, nonetheless discovered good houses. It’s not at all times this tough.”
Rangaswamy has since posted a follow-up enchantment: “In want of a ‘non veg’ residence in and round Vadapalani, Saligramam, Kodambakkam, Ashok Nagar. In case you have one—please DM.”
In Indian metros, it’s not unusual for rental rejections to hinge on dietary habits, marital standing, faith, and even pet possession.
