It is unthinkable that Mumbai witnessed the kind of goondaism in the name of preserving its ethnic identity. Raj Thackeray, who claims to speak for the people of Mumbai, has obviously got his priorities wrong.
Any attempt to divide the country in the name of caste, region, language or religion strikes at the root of Indianness and politicians who play such a divisive game to further their obnoxious self-interest should be abhored.
It is not clear as to what was the immediate provocation to rake up chhat pooja and Amitabh Bachchan'sloyalty to Mumbai etc to create nasty scenes in the metropolitan city. Mumbai is considered the dream city of India, tomorrow'sShanghai, because of its metropolitan character. For centuries it has been the confluence of cultural streams, it beckoned people from all walks of life and created a proud, glorious tradition unique in its own magnificent way. It is for no other reason that Mumbai is the corporate capital of the country and India'sown Hollywood. No right thinking leader will try to slur this image. As for Amitabh Bachchan, he is an Indian idol, his mass appeal and popularity have no parallel and he is loved and respected by all Indians. Such personalities are not confined in the matrix of regionalism.
Congress has a long history of fomenting such narrow sectarian loyalties for immediate political gains. It had done it with Bhindranwale in Punjab earlier and is now doing the same with Dera Sachcha Sauda. It has helped sectarian elements in the North-East and Jammu Kashmir. It encouraged Bangladeshi infiltration in Assam and West Bengal. Few months ago under its government in Assam, ULFA, with which many believe it has a secret understanding mowed down dozens of innocent Hindi-speaking people. The culprits are yet to be brought to book and punished.
Few months ago Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit made a controversial comment against people migrating to the city from various parts of the country. She had to withdraw it immediately, fearing a backlash. The new wave of economic liberalism, growth and the IT revolution have broken many barriers and the world is fast becoming a better place to work and prosper. That is why millions of Indians are finding better life outside India. We should not forget what will happen to them if such tendencies as witnessed in Mumbai gain currency elsewhere. Every effort should be made to strengthen the sense of oneness and nationalism.
Security threat to Sankalp Yatra
The NDA Prime Ministerial candidate Shri L.K. Advani has deferred his Sankalp Yatra following the National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan informing him of possible terror attack. According to the NSA, it has information that terrorists have hatched a plan to target the Leader of Opposition to frustrate his campaign.
The government is also planning to increase the security cover for the leader. The rising popularity of the BJP and its leader could be a matter of discomfiture for anti-India forces. Under the UPA terrorist outfits have gained an unprecedented ability to strike and get away.
Over 3000 Indians have lost life in terror attacks under the UPA. In none of the over dozen attacks the plot has been convincingly solved or the culprits arrested so far. The UPA'srecord in fighting terror modules is poor. Its failure in ensuring safety of the citizens has become a major plank of NDA propaganda.
The BJP has done the right thing in playing by the rule and listening to the NSA advise. But ten assembly polls are due this year. Is it that the centre is not in a position to ensure peaceful and safe electioneering? It is high time the UPA worked on a strategy to get the country insulated from jehadi elements out to create insecurity and mayhem in the country.
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