Dividing a Nation

It is like turning the clock of progress backward. The country has seen a severe opposition and an almost virulent attitude towards the 'migrants' in the State of Maharashtra in the recent times. Outsiders have been picked out and thrashed in full public view. Fear is instilled into the hearts of simple folk who are merely trying to eke sustenance. Taxi drivers, hawkers and vendors, mostly from UP and Bihar, were the soft targets of a larger political agenda. Most flee as now life and not livelihood is at stake. Such is the power play that the financial capital of the country is left gasping for breath.   That it did not happen in some remote corner of the country but in a metropolis which has boasted of being a melting pot is an eye opener of sorts. Mumbai was hitherto been regarded as a city of opportunities in India (quite similar to the manner in which the world looks at America). It now assumes importance to figure out whether it is alright to tolerate such divisive line of thought? Should the States be allowed to erect walls within a larger nation? Should the petty men who inspire hatred and present this vitriolic ideology as a political offering be allowed to continue as leaders? And most importantly, how can a nation be subordinated to a lesser interest?   Mr A There is absolutely no justification for a theory like Mr Thackeray's sons-of-the-soil to be allowed to flourish.  His brand of politics is completely rooted in propagation of hatred and has a very parochial outlook. We as a progressive nation should collectively stand up against any such attempt to divide the people for petty gains. How can anybody tolerate the audacious attempt to attack at the foundations of this unified nation and its glorious past that we all share?  The manner in which individuals were systematically picked out and attacked defies all the right that the Constitution guarantees them. Every citizen has a constitutional right to move, reside and work in any part of the country. Our nation is the prime example of unity in diversity. There have been attempts to disrupt the 'we' feeling earlier on too, but it is quite new to see one of the politicos trying to pit one set of Indians against another, with the State looking away! If the State allows this balkanisation, without crushing it completely, the idea of sprouting several nations within a nation will have India looking fairly similar to the European scenario, where States of minimal size are separating and declaring independence.   Miss B I also do not subscribe to the ideology and the violence being propagated by some politicians today but I do think that there is sound reason for present state of affairs, the main being State apathy to the plight of the common people. Successive governments come into power, each time promising the moon, literally, but the ground reality remains the same. Infrastructure remains poor, healthcare is pitiable and employment generation is extremely insufficient. Decades have gone by but there are places with tremendous potential that have remained in the same pathetic state. Consequently, people migrate from one town to another which promises a livelihood. The pressure is extremely evident on the metros and big cities, and significantly on Mumbai, the case in point here. In view of this scenario, the system is likely to crumble, fostering the kind of antagonism in the hearts of the original inhabitants. It is simply a question of survival and much could be resolved if the governments only worked around the basic issues and weeded out the food and shelter problems faced by the people. However, when political will is absent, anarchy is a foregone conclusion. People like Raj Thackeray would go all hammer and tongs when the iron is so hot.   Mr C That people have the right to voice their concerns and to show opposition to a particular issue is alright. But it should not be tolerated. The government's approach, marked by a notable slumber, only goes on to send a subtle message to the troublemakers that they can go on fomenting trouble. In the earlier decades, the south Indians who had settled in Maharashtra were targets of such a campaign and now it is the north Indians, namely the migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The seriousness of the situations lies in the fact that there is an employment problem of great magnitude. People in other States could take a cue from Maharashtra and start ousting campaigns against migrants in their particular State. This must be stopped and a stern message should be sent across that the integrity of the country is sacrosanct and anybody trying to deal a blow to it will be punished in the severest manner.   Miss D Let me play the devil's advocate here. I do not support Thackeray's brand of politics, but I also feel that the burden of supporting growth cannot be put squarely in the shoulders of the metropolises. India has been an independent nation for over sixty years now. That should have ensured some developmental activity in all States. If people are still flocking to the metros in search of a livelihood, there is something seriously wrong with the policies/policy implementation and, above all, with the people who have been voted into power each time. I also do believe that a still greater wrong has been done by the public who has not risen to question what the people at the helm of affairs are doing. Where is the taxpayer's money going? If the people have resorted to violence in this measure, there must be some smoke indicating a raging fire beneath. In my opinion, this is a wake up call of sorts for the governments to secure livelihood for its people. It is only when want and apathy are present that such incidents can happen. It is difficult to provoke a person with a full stomach. Every community is proud of their culture and protective about what is due to them. But when the vehemence is visible to such an extent then, its time for the welfare agencies—primarily the government in a welfare State like ours—to sit up and take notice.   Mr A I feel that the entire episode is in very bad taste. There are ways of expressing dissent and peaceful ones at that. However, the vandalism, violence and anarchy that were perpetrated in this case cannot be ignored. Helpless, unarmed people were beaten up. Not only has the financial capital of the nation taken a beating, the interests of the very people—the Marathis—may come under fire. If they migrate to a different place, they may well be looked at with antagonism based on the current happenings. The worrisome issue here is that by targeting the outsiders, the protesters are striking at the roots of the thriving economic activity in the cosmopolitan city. One has to agree that businesses are not run by the Marathis only. Nor is the workforce composed of a single community. The complete scenario keeps the economic interests primary and works collectively. Now, if this very aspect is destroyed and overshadowed by parochial agendas then Mumbai, Nasik and other fairly progressive cities will also turn into average towns. Every individual has the right to earn a livelihood and if people are quietly pursuing their avocations, there should be no reason whatsoever of hounding them.   Miss B I feel that it is very easy to preach and mouth platitudes. What is important here is go beyond what is projected in the national media and to look at the ground realities. The incidents would not have occurred had there been no discontent brewing among the local population. There is a strong backlash against the outsiders for taking away the opportunities that were due to the locals, and for claiming a share in what is rightfully theirs. What should be seen here is that the very threat to a person's survival, a threat to bread and butter has driven them to this extent. It is not about the people who are safely pursuing their corporate jobs, but about the people at lower end who have great difficulty making the ends meet. These vulnerable sections are then exploited by the politicians. What actually needs to be done is employment generation for the people. Only when these are achieved, people will not fall prey to instigation for cheap political mileage.   Mr C It is good that my friend here has highlighted the need of the hour and the basic cause that needs looking into. However, I also feel that we need to change our dual standards first. Is the treatment meted out to the North Indians in Maharashtra recently any thing short of racist in its nature? What is the justification for smashing taxis, burning the rickshaws, roughing up the hawkers, attacks on houses of film personalities? We cry foul, we condemn racism when Indians abroad are targeted.   But is it alright to do the same thing in the country against one's own brethren? Even in this scenario nothing has been achieved.  I feel that people should get smarter now and not fall for opportunists swaying them with empty words.   Miss D There is not one but two issues that need attention. The first is of the unquestionable upkeep of the nation's unity and integrity. No divisive force should be allowed to rear its head at all. If the nation remains united, any issue can be handled. The State and the judiciary should not hesitate to make an example out of the people who try to cash in on the sore points of the vulnerable sections and, in turn, promote hostility and foster enmity among communities. The other issue is of livelihood and sustenance of people everywhere across the country. Migration happens when one's own resources dry up and living upon them becomes difficult. This only implies that the governments are either ignorant or apathetic to the plight of the people and are actually in a manner responsible for the state of affairs today. Basic needs have to be ensured to the people and also required in equal measure are efforts to empower the people so that they can lead a life of dignity anywhere they choose to. This done, the nation can be happy and progress.

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with warm regards

Harish Sati
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068

(M) + 91 - 9990646343 | (E-mail) Harish.sati@gmail.com

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