Samiullah Khan, a 28-year-old civil engineer from Ahmedabad, topped his university, interned with top firms, and spoke fluent English. His resume was impeccable. His references were strong. His dreams were modest—to work, to earn, and to live with dignity.

But the moment recruiters read his full name or noticed his father’s occupation listed as “butcher” on official documents, the tone changed.

“Sorry, we’ll get back to you.”
They never did.

Post-Riot Shadows

Samiullah was only six when the 2002 Gujarat riots tore through his neighborhood. He remembers hiding under a bed while his mother prayed they wouldn’t be discovered. The trauma lingered, but his parents still held hope: “If you study hard, you’ll live a better life.”

He did. He studied by candlelight during power cuts, avoided trouble, and stayed focused. Yet, even as he graduated with distinction, he began noticing that his Muslim friends, no matter how bright, were struggling to get placed in reputed firms.

The Unspoken Filter

After six rounds of interviews at a top infrastructure company, Samiullah was confident he had the job. The panel even praised his project work. But he never heard back. A week later, a friend inside the company told him the truth: “HR said we should avoid hiring Muslims for field work in certain zones. It might create tensions.”

This wasn’t an isolated case.

Samiullah applied for dozens of jobs. Some companies asked if he’d be comfortable “using a Hindu-sounding name for client interactions.” One HR manager directly said, “You’d be better off in a Muslim-run company. Our clients are sensitive.”

Finding Voice Through Truth

Tired and heartbroken, Samiullah began documenting his journey. He started a blog titled “Engineer, Not a Terrorist”, where he shared his personal experiences and invited others to anonymously write about religious discrimination in workplaces.

To his surprise, stories poured in—from teachers denied promotions to students losing scholarships to entrepreneurs turned away from rented office spaces.

He realized his story was not just his own—it belonged to thousands.

Beyond Stereotypes

Samiullah now works with a non-profit that promotes diversity and inclusion in hiring practices. He speaks at universities, trains companies in unconscious bias awareness, and helps young Muslim graduates navigate the job market with confidence and legal knowledge.

His message is simple but powerful: “Don’t hide who you are. Demand the space you deserve.”

What Samiullah’s Story Reveals

Religious discrimination in India often hides behind polite excuses and unspoken assumptions. But its impact is real—shrinking opportunities, silencing voices, and forcing minorities to compromise on identity just to survive.

Samiullah’s resilience shows that silence is not the answer. Speaking up—no matter how uncomfortable—is the first step toward justice.

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At Ink of Impact, we believe that stories like Samiullah’s shed light on the invisible barriers still dividing our country. Sharing them is resistance. Remembering them is responsibility.