Its been couple of days now after the so called 'Marathi' men resorted to street violence against North Indians in particular.
I've always felt that workplace is not a good place to discuss social/political issues. It is hence necessary to maintain restraint in exhibition of one's views, especially in respect of social matters. This is important in India more than anywhere else because our society is highly stratified with thousands of discreet social groups. And there exists every possibility that even a spark can blow up into a full fledged fire buring down close relationships that have probably been nurtured for a lifetime. Hence, ignoring social issues as if they don't exist is perhaps a good way of working around the social differences and co-existing in harmony. By not talking about burning issues in our busy routine, we find a middle path towards temporary peace.
It is this soothing silence however, which gets uncomfortable when some things go wrong somewhere. This silence which at most times suppresses our differences also shouts out louder than loudest of words at times of communal flare-ups. At such times, silence breeds suspicion and mistrust. I hence choose to speak.
I first wish to distance myself from the violent brigade of hypocrites who in the name of bringing justice to the Marathi man have committed injustice to the solidarity of our entire nation.
One cannot make somebody do things they do not wish to do. I would be most glad if my friends learn to speak Marathi. But not at this cost. I read a news article which contained comments by Ahilyatai Rangnekar, a woman who fought for the Sanjukta Maharashtra Andolan in 1950s. I would like to quote her own words, "We fought for a separate state for the Marathi manoos. We didn't say non-Maharashtrians are not welcome" ... "Maharashtrians in Mumbai are not as unfortunate and poor as Raj and other politicians were portraying them to be." ... " Raj is not saving them from hell. He is only spoiling the unity and cohesion among the people of the city."
This is exactly what I personally feel and I'm sure most Marathi people are in agreement. Politicians who are in a perpetual frenzy to garner votebanks resort to such gimmicks. With so many North Indian people whom I call friends, I am not alone. Millions of Marathi young men and women have a cosmopolitan upbringing and DO NOT subscribe to narrow minded regionalistic views. I am proud of my Marathi heritage and I understand that my non-Marathi friends are equally proud of their respective regional cultures too. It is this diversity which makes India unique. I frequently draw analogy to Europe, which in many respects is like India, particularly with regards to diversity in this case. But inspite of their efforts, they have not been able to build a consolidated Europe. It is only a great country like India that such diversity can co-exist in harmony. Many a great civilizations have risen and collapsed. There remain only traces of the mighty ancient Roman empire, while Greeks are left with only a vestige of their spectacular past achievements and the once enlightened and flourishing Muslim Sultanates which at one time ruled the seven seas have plunged into obscurity. It is only India which has flourished inspite of devastating foreign invasions, famines and every other conceivable difficulty.
People like these who try to agitate the peaceful national integrity are measly flies in this wonderful garden of diversity called India. Such flies can try their miserable best and create their loudest humming, but will ultimately die out unable to cause not even a leaf to fall in this garden.
As for the Marathi manoos, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the ultimate ideal for me and every other true Marathi man. It is he who had the hands of his Maratha soldier cut because he dared to violate the daughter of one of his Muslim enemies. If Shivaji Maharaj can respect even his enemies, the question of a Marathi man hating fellow Indians does not arise at all. Maharashtrian soil has given birth to some of the noblest men and ideologies. The benchmark for honour has been set so high that as high as they jump and as shrill as they cry out, no Raj Thackeray even come near what we call Marathi asmita. Because Marathi pride is no different from National pride.
Now that I have vented my anger and disgust in the most civilized manner possible for me, I wish to proclaim that Mumbai is open to all, irrespective of caste, creed, region or religion. In case the image has been tarnished I wish to further proclaim that Marathi man is most warm hearted, brave and impulsive who will embrace every Indian (and non-Indian too) with open hands without prejudice and will not hesitate to protect those whom he calls friends even against some of his own people. Raj Thackeray DOES NOT represent the collective Marathi opinion. His actions DO NOT have the approval or backing of the Marathi people. Raj Thackeray DOES NOT speak for all Marathi people.
I disagree with him. And I wanna make it fucking known...
I've always felt that workplace is not a good place to discuss social/political issues. It is hence necessary to maintain restraint in exhibition of one's views, especially in respect of social matters. This is important in India more than anywhere else because our society is highly stratified with thousands of discreet social groups. And there exists every possibility that even a spark can blow up into a full fledged fire buring down close relationships that have probably been nurtured for a lifetime. Hence, ignoring social issues as if they don't exist is perhaps a good way of working around the social differences and co-existing in harmony. By not talking about burning issues in our busy routine, we find a middle path towards temporary peace.
It is this soothing silence however, which gets uncomfortable when some things go wrong somewhere. This silence which at most times suppresses our differences also shouts out louder than loudest of words at times of communal flare-ups. At such times, silence breeds suspicion and mistrust. I hence choose to speak.
I first wish to distance myself from the violent brigade of hypocrites who in the name of bringing justice to the Marathi man have committed injustice to the solidarity of our entire nation.
One cannot make somebody do things they do not wish to do. I would be most glad if my friends learn to speak Marathi. But not at this cost. I read a news article which contained comments by Ahilyatai Rangnekar, a woman who fought for the Sanjukta Maharashtra Andolan in 1950s. I would like to quote her own words, "We fought for a separate state for the Marathi manoos. We didn't say non-Maharashtrians are not welcome" ... "Maharashtrians in Mumbai are not as unfortunate and poor as Raj and other politicians were portraying them to be." ... " Raj is not saving them from hell. He is only spoiling the unity and cohesion among the people of the city."
This is exactly what I personally feel and I'm sure most Marathi people are in agreement. Politicians who are in a perpetual frenzy to garner votebanks resort to such gimmicks. With so many North Indian people whom I call friends, I am not alone. Millions of Marathi young men and women have a cosmopolitan upbringing and DO NOT subscribe to narrow minded regionalistic views. I am proud of my Marathi heritage and I understand that my non-Marathi friends are equally proud of their respective regional cultures too. It is this diversity which makes India unique. I frequently draw analogy to Europe, which in many respects is like India, particularly with regards to diversity in this case. But inspite of their efforts, they have not been able to build a consolidated Europe. It is only a great country like India that such diversity can co-exist in harmony. Many a great civilizations have risen and collapsed. There remain only traces of the mighty ancient Roman empire, while Greeks are left with only a vestige of their spectacular past achievements and the once enlightened and flourishing Muslim Sultanates which at one time ruled the seven seas have plunged into obscurity. It is only India which has flourished inspite of devastating foreign invasions, famines and every other conceivable difficulty.
People like these who try to agitate the peaceful national integrity are measly flies in this wonderful garden of diversity called India. Such flies can try their miserable best and create their loudest humming, but will ultimately die out unable to cause not even a leaf to fall in this garden.
As for the Marathi manoos, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the ultimate ideal for me and every other true Marathi man. It is he who had the hands of his Maratha soldier cut because he dared to violate the daughter of one of his Muslim enemies. If Shivaji Maharaj can respect even his enemies, the question of a Marathi man hating fellow Indians does not arise at all. Maharashtrian soil has given birth to some of the noblest men and ideologies. The benchmark for honour has been set so high that as high as they jump and as shrill as they cry out, no Raj Thackeray even come near what we call Marathi asmita. Because Marathi pride is no different from National pride.
Now that I have vented my anger and disgust in the most civilized manner possible for me, I wish to proclaim that Mumbai is open to all, irrespective of caste, creed, region or religion. In case the image has been tarnished I wish to further proclaim that Marathi man is most warm hearted, brave and impulsive who will embrace every Indian (and non-Indian too) with open hands without prejudice and will not hesitate to protect those whom he calls friends even against some of his own people. Raj Thackeray DOES NOT represent the collective Marathi opinion. His actions DO NOT have the approval or backing of the Marathi people. Raj Thackeray DOES NOT speak for all Marathi people.
I disagree with him. And I wanna make it fucking known...
