I am writing this post in response to what I see happening in Maharastra and now Punjab. Raj Thakarey has taken ownership of Marathi manoos and is spewing venom about 'outsiders' in Maharastra. As if the divisions based on caste and religion was not enough that we now have another division to live with. And this one shakes the very foundation of a unite, sovereign state.
The state barriers, just like the caste system is ingrained in our psyche and it keeps cropping every now and then. I still feel that Bangalore, in spite of being so cosmopolitan, has reservations against people coming from other states. I have been in Chennai for a while, and the hatred there is visible. Shiv Sena had come to power in Maharastra with this whole politics of hatred but it had died down in the last decade. Raj Thakarey, for the lack of genuine issues, has again touched upon this sensitive issue and in a way that other states are championing the cause too. See how Punjab also gave a thumbs-up to what Mr Thakarey is doing. Pathetic.
The government, both at the central and state level is sleeping because it has to keep the Marathi Manoos happy if it needs to come to power in the next general election. And thats why we have fools like R.T who go on rampage and disrupt railway examinations, beat up outsiders and make provocative speeches. In response, students in bihar torched a railway station and several railway coaches. Its the tax payers money which went down the drain!
This is the worst kind of politics that could be. Its what British practiced - Divide and rule. I condemn the attacks on Biharis in Maharastra and I wish this cause is taken up more seriously.
Otherwise, the preamble of India will need another amendment and this time it will be on the unity of the states. I hope I don't ever have to write "We, the Rajasthanis". The strength lies in "We, The People of INDIA".
