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Wednesday, Oct 29, 2008
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Cycle of violence

The gunning down of 23-year-old Rahul Raj — the Bihari youth who reportedly tried to take the passengers of a bus in Kurla, Mumbai, hostage — by the police shows that the unrest triggered by the attacks on north Indians by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena continues to simmer. The violence has gone too far and is dividing the people of the country. The Kurla episode should serve as a lesson for both the State government and the MNS. One wonders how many more lives the politics of hate is set to claim.

Cajetan Peter D’Souza,

Mumbai

There is no doubt that the action taken by the young man from Patna was the result of the MNS hate campaign against north Indians in Maharashtra. At least now, Raj Thackeray should think of the repercussions his action can have on the country’s social fabric. How can the people of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar alone be held responsible for the loss of jobs of the Marathis? A large chunk of Mumbai’s population comprises Gujaratis and south Indians. Before pointing a finger at people from other States, Mr. Thackeray should ask himself what he and his party have done for the Marathi-speaking people except fuelling hatred against their brethren.

Mukesh Manglani,

New Delhi

The police had no choice other than shooting the Bihari youth dead. This is the most unfortunate thing that could have happened, as a result of the unrest started by the MNS. The incident proves that hate politics will only lead to further violence. It is sure to escalate the crisis and ruin the relationship between Bihar and Maharashtra. It is the Centre’s duty to defuse the tension.

Inamdar Ramachandra,

Bangalore

The repercussions of Raj Thackeray’s antics should open the eyes of the Sena clan. Leaders like him should not be under the impression that they can play havoc with the lives of people in the name of fighting for the rights of Maharashtrians and get away with it. They should realise that violence will beget more violence from the affected people, as proved by the latest bus shootout in Mumbai.

V.S. Ganeshan,

Bangalore

Justifying the police action, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R.R. Patil has said those who take the law into their own hands deserve to be shot.

How does the honourable Minister describe the actions of the MNS chief who has been holding the north Indians in the State to ransom by beating them up and damaging their property? Is his action permitted under the law of the land?

B. Raman,

Coimbatore

Mr. Patil’s statement is highly condemnable. As for his assertion that anyone who takes the law into his hands should be shot dead, does he want to eliminate everyone who is in conflict with the law in any way? If yes, what about the MNS goons, who have been unleashing terror in complete violation of the rule of law for months now? Unfortunate statements such as the one made by Mr. Patil are bound to aggravate the already inflamed situation.

Deepak Kumar,

New Delhi

As though the violence let loose by Bihari youth in their State against the MNS attacks on north Indians in Mumbai was not enough came the police encounter with Rahul, which has added fuel to the raging fire. People like Raj Thackeray are a threat to democracy. The demand by the political leaders of Bihar that the Shiv Sena and the MNS be banned is absolutely justified. There seems to be no other alternative to stop the parties. The Kurla episode is a shame on democracy.

Ankita Singh,

Kanpur

While the violence orchestrated by Raj Thackeray deserves to be condemned, it is also important to go into the root causes of the problem: social (possessiveness over cultural identities like language, tradition and local social behaviour) and economic (reduced job opportunities for the locals due to migration and associated effects like inflation and higher cost of living). While the social aspects must be left to individual choices, the economic aspects have far-reaching consequences and need to be addressed. Issuing work permits and regulation of migrants seeking employment can be considered.

Premnath Sankaran,

Bangalore

Had regional chauvinism indulged in by the Shiv Sena decades ago been nipped in the bud, things would not have come to such a pass. The manner in which the students of Bihar retaliated to the MNS violence was no less heart-breaking. They should be made to understand that public property is bought with the money of taxpayers, many of whom are not well-to-do.

A. Thirugnanasambanda moorthy,

Chengalpattu

The method adopted by the MNS to express and resolve the misgivings of the Maharashtrians did not receive much backing from the people of the State. Nor did the sporadic violence that followed Raj Thackeray’s arrest, which was the exclusive handiwork of the MNS cadre. However, commenting on the issue, a few political leaders have indulged in unfair criticism of Maharashtra.

The genesis of the problem lies in uneven regional development. States like Bihar face serious governance deficit. Instead of talking about the contribution of Biharis for Maharashtra’s glory, the political leaders would do well to improve Bihar. Coming to the bus shootout, it was reported unfairly in the electronic media. The logic that the gunman did not intend to kill but wanted to send a message is ridiculous. If Raj Thackeray is dividing the country, so are the television news channels.

Rishi Dalvi,

Pune

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