Mumbai: A property advertisement for a rs 6.5 crore flat in Mumbai’s Tardeo has sparked a heated debate over whether a person’s food habits should determine who can buy a home. Real estate agent Bhavesh Kaware, who had asked for “pure vegetarian clients” for the property, has now apologised following the backlash.
Kaware met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray at Shivteerth and apologised to Thackeray as well as Mumbaikars. He said he did not want to take the controversy any further and would follow the legal process.
The controversy began after Kaware posted a video showcasing a nearly completed two bedroom apartment in Tardeo, one of south Mumbai’s prominent residential areas. The flat was described as being around 900 square feet and priced at rs 6.50 crore.
In the video, Kaware showed the apartment’s interiors along with views of south Mumbai and the sea. He also invited prospective buyers to contact him. However, his request that only “pure vegetarian clients” get in touch quickly became the focus of attention.
The video spread rapidly on social media, with people questioning whether someone’s dietary choices should become a condition for buying a private home. The controversy also raised questions about how such a restriction could be maintained after a property changes hands. The original video was subsequently deleted.
The matter took a political turn after Amit Thackeray met Kaware and sought an apology. Thackeray also criticised videos that Kaware had posted after the original advertisement, saying they had further upset people.
Kaware later apologised and said he did not want to escalate the issue. In another notable clarification, he said that he himself owns chicken shops and apologised to the customers who visit those businesses.
The incident has once again brought Mumbai’s long running debate over vegetarian only housing into the spotlight. While some housing societies and property owners have historically expressed preferences based on food habits, critics argue that such practices can lead to discrimination.
For now, the immediate controversy has ended with Kaware’s apology. But the larger debate over food choices, housing preferences and discrimination in Mumbai’s real estate market is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
As of August 17, 2026, the latest reported development is Kaware’s apology following his meeting with Amit Thackeray.
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