COLUMN Spot the difference Kumar Ketkar Posted online: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 2308 hrs Raj and Uddhav Thackeray recently spoke of inclusive politics. Why that promise proved to be empty.
Lewis Carroll would have been stumped by what is happening in Mumbai today. Carroll%u2019s Tweedledum and Tweedledee fight, only to embrace and escape together in the face of a thunderstorm. A casual and apparently spontaneous repartee between Abu Azmi and Raj Thackeray has given the impression that a massive confrontation is brewing. If not for the sensationalising electronic media picking up on stray and provocative remarks, the so-called violent divide between the north Indians and the Marathi community would have withered away in a couple of hours. The city has witnessed far more violent outbursts from Raj%u2019s uncle, Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray, and the likes of Abu Azmi. Mumbai%u2019s citizens have learnt to take these aggressive debates in their stride. These antics create tension in some small areas for a little while and then quickly die down. In the crowded streets and trains, nobody really knows or cares who is Marathi or who is Bihari. There are nearly fifty small-time professions that are dominated by the so-called north Indians. These could have been done by the sons of the soil too %u2014 like driving taxis or distributing milk, selling bhelpuri or running a laundry, which means ironing clothes for the vast middle class of the city includ
RE:Thackeray family achievements
by rexberry on Feb 13, 2008 11:00 PM Permalink
its part of india... my only message is my maharashtrians brothers and sisters ... u have rights in your states but dont come under these ppl... coz there family has broken only for power... so breaking ppl in terms of caste community religion is very easy for them
RE:RE:Thackeray family achievements
by shirish lakshmanan on Feb 13, 2008 11:07 PM Permalink
You think? You think they are not targetted - any guarantee they won't be . . . .? If not today - tomorrow!
RE:This is NAZI mentality...
by sameer pune on Feb 13, 2008 10:51 PM Permalink
imran the same mentality is in full use in gujrat and most people are silently supporting it
bjp is keeping mum on this subject when bhaiyas are being thrashed. its lalu and amarsingh the secular leaders who are standing upto raj gujjus just wait you are next after the bhaiyas in mumbai
RE:Gujjus you will be nezt in mumbai
by Asdfgfasdfgf on Feb 13, 2008 11:02 PM Permalink
At least, Sameer, you should not be critical of your gujju employer. Jis thali mein khatein hon, usi mein ...
RE:Gujjus you will be nezt in mumbai
by Anand Rao on Feb 13, 2008 10:51 PM Permalink
Can you stop spreading these messages please? It will only aggrivate people further! Isnt it like the same thing what politicians do?
RE:Gujjus you will be nezt in mumbai
by imran patel on Feb 13, 2008 10:53 PM Permalink
No one is a parasite...This is MNS's fault.
All Indians have the right and freedom to move anyplace in the country.
People who are defending the actions of MNS were up in arms when Mr. Singh (PM) said that the minorities had first right to national resources. He was wrong in saying that. And so is Mr. Thakarey is suggesting that Maharashtra is only for the Marathis.
He has made a political calculation. The base of MNS is the hardcore right wing of the Marathi community. If their population shrinks compared to the overall population, they will never hold any position of authority.
RE:Gujjus you will be nezt in mumbai
by imran patel on Feb 13, 2008 10:57 PM Permalink
Sourav,
Are you mentally challenged ?
Why can you not think beyond Ind Vs Pak or Hindu Vs Muslim ?
Have you hit the ceiling as far as your mental capacity is concerned ?
I don't want to be mean to you brother...But lets stop this name calling. This is a time to show unity and maturity and make sure that the sensible heads prevail.
Please make this dialogue more constructive. Thanks, -Imran.
See, its not that Maharashtrians are not in other states, they are very much there. But they do not poliforate like the UPits or Biharis. See these guys come to Mumbai and stay in slums. Whatever they earn, a heafty part of it they send to their natives. Now this is disturbing, firstly their numbers is increasing and secondly they are not contributing anything to the cities or the states development - I think they aint paying taxes! Hence it becomes difficult for a tax payer to know that these people are consuming the resources of the city but not giving anything back. And the tax payers are forced to share the hardships!
You see, its more of an economical issue than a lunguistic one. Any comments? Please dont reply if you want to get frustrated.
RE:On a serious thought...
by Sucheta Das on Feb 13, 2008 11:18 PM Permalink
how can you be so naive!!! regarding non-payment of taxes.....why don't you try driving out all the politicians who amass crores at the expense of common people and never pay taxes. regarding not contributing anything to the city....are they getting paid for free? they are getting paid for their work and hence contributing to the economy. and do you wish to imply that all the marathis settled outside of maharashtra do not send anything back to their families in maharashtra?? I think people should look through the sinister ploys of politicians and give a fitting reply. similarly, the media should not report their stupid speeches to shrink their sphere of influence.
I just don't get it.. Aren't we all Indians? Why this north, south, east and west divide? If we all don't care of one another who else will? Why can't we all say that we are Indians instead of saying our states. We should be ultimately proud of our country.. I just sometimes don't get it at all.. I hope we can all stay together and fight against all the anti-elements against our country. I sincerely pray and hope that day comes
WHAT A PITY, FLEEING LADY GAVE BIRTH IN TRAIN TOILET
by kamesh on Feb 13, 2008 10:43 PM Permalink | Hide replies
THE GREEDY VOTE BANK STRETEGY OF YOUR DIRTY POLITICIAN , THE GOD IS NOT GOING TO EXCUSE , THIS MAN WILL DIE A DOGS DEATH , THE BAD FEELINGS HE GENERATED WILL EAT AWAY HIS OWN FAMILY
RE:WHAT A PITY, FLEEING LADY GAVE BIRTH IN TRAIN TOILET
by Tom on Feb 13, 2008 10:54 PM Permalink
True
Government is doing nothing but providing limelight and protection to these evil politicians . Protect the people else the country wouldn't run even for 100 years.
RE:WHAT A PITY, FLEEING LADY GAVE BIRTH IN TRAIN TOILET
by sameer pune on Feb 13, 2008 10:45 PM Permalink
yes same thing will happen to modi and his followers
