BBC Journalist Gafira Qadir’s “Delhi Rent Drama” Sparks Massive Backlash and Trolling

ByDelhi Magazine Team

Apr 28, 2026

New Delhi: A recent reel by BBC journalist Gafira Qadir has gone viral — but not in the way she or BBC might have expected. In the video, Gafira Qadir, a Kashmiri Muslim journalist working with BBC News Hindi/Urdu, shared her personal struggle of searching for a rented house in Delhi. She claimed that she faced repeated rejections from landlords, and portrayed it as discrimination against Kashmiri Muslims based on their identity. The reel highlighted how Kashmiri Muslim women in Delhi often find it difficult to get accommodation.However, instead of widespread sympathy, the reel has triggered heavy criticism, anger, and trolling across social media platforms. Many users have accused BBC and Gafira of pushing a one-sided narrative while conveniently ignoring historical context and ground realities. What People Are Saying in Comments:Netizens have pointed out several uncomfortable questions:

Delhi has nearly 16-18% Muslim population. Areas like Jamia Nagar, Okhla, Seelampur, Shaheen Bagh, and Batla House are Muslim-majority and located close to BBC’s office in Barakhamba Road (Connaught Place). Yet Gafira chose to highlight refusals mainly from other areas.
In the reel itself, one landlord clearly stated that he does not rent to non-vegetarians (maansahari), irrespective of whether they are Hindu or Muslim. Many commenters argue that BBC selectively edited and framed the issue as religious discrimination.
The strongest backlash comes from references to Kashmir’s history. Users are repeatedly reminding everyone:

“Hindus in Kashmir gave space and shelter to Muslims for centuries. Kashmir was originally a Hindu land with thousands of years of Hindu civilization and temples. But after Islam became majority, the remaining Kashmiri Pandits (original Hindus) were forced to flee in 1990. Islamic militant groups like JKLF and Hizbul Mujahideen carried out targeted killings and used the slogan ‘Raliv, Tsaliv ya Galiv’ (Convert to Islam, Leave, or Die). Lakhs of Kashmiri Pandits had to leave their ancestral homes, properties, and temples overnight and live as refugees. After seeing this betrayal, why should people in Delhi risk renting their houses?”

Many comments highlight the broken trust: “Pehle apne ghar mein Hindus ko nahi bachaya, ab Delhi mein victim card khel rahe ho?” (You couldn’t protect Hindus in your own home, now you’re playing the victim card here?)
Others wrote: “Landlords have the right to decide who lives in their house. After years of terror attacks, bomb blasts, and past experiences, people have become cautious. This hesitation is not blind hate — it’s a natural reaction to history.”
Some users also noted that lakhs of Kashmiris (including Muslims) already live on rent in Delhi without major issues, questioning why BBC is amplifying one particular case.

You would also like to read: BBC Made Anti-India Documentary by Taking Money From Chinese Company Huawei.

The Bigger DebateThe reel has turned into a major online debate between two sides:

One side calls it clear Islamophobia and discrimination against Kashmiris.
The much louder side calls it selective journalism and propaganda by BBC, accusing them of whitewashing Kashmir’s painful history while ignoring the ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990.

Many are now asking BBC and Gafira Qadir directly: Will you also make a detailed reel on the exodus and suffering of Kashmiri Pandits?As of now, the comment sections are filled with sarcasm, anger, historical references, and strong criticism of BBC’s framing. What started as an attempt to show victimhood has largely backfired and become a case study in how past actions can affect present trust.

You would also like to read: UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy Seeks BBC Clarification Over Glastonbury Broadcast Controversy.