Provincialism – Internal Threat To Indian Unity

Parochialism is nothing new in our country. Although the Indian constitution has decided the federal form for the country, the monster of provincialism shows up any where at the slightest pretext. The nation since it’s independence from the British rule, has been sporadically witnessing the ugly and inhuman side of xenophobia within the country for decades. There had been occasions when Bengali’s were targeted in Assam and Orrissa. In recent times Biharis and Jharkhandi’s have been targeted in Assam as well as Maharashtra. But what shocked the nation in the recent almost a forth night long attack on the north Indians in various districts of maharashtra by the rowdies of the Maharashtra Nav Nirman Sena [MNS] was that a supposedly responsible and educated leader of a political party was openly inciting his followers to chase away the migrants from north India, especially those from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Even wores and more shocking were the tardy attitudes of the state government in tackling the issue. Here was a man names Raj Thackeray the MNS chief, who was openly challenging the country’s constitution and threatening the nations unity by creating enmity and fostering hatred among Indian’s themselves on the basis of their respective states. Here was a man who deserved to be thrown behind the bars immediately after he spat out his venomous observations against the settlers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Instead, the Maharashtra government run by the National Congress Party [NCP] with the congress party as it’s alley, took almost ten days to take action against Raj Thackeray when the drama of the much publicized “arrest” of the later was enacted. The government was obliged to arrest the Samaj Wadi party leader Abu Azmi also along with Raj Thackeray on charges of promoting enmity between groups and inciting violence. The drama of arresting these politicians lasted only for a few hours, as within 3 hours of their arrest, both were granted bail on personal bonds. It may be pointed out that charges leveled against them and the cases registered against both Raj Thackeray and Abu Azmi under various sections of the IPC are cognizable and non-bail able. If convicted, they could face jail terms up to 3 years. Home minister of Maharashtra, Mr. R. R. Patil claimed that the “police have enough evidence” to proceed in the two cases.

The question now may arise, why this inordinate delay then in taking legal action against the culprit? Even Raj Thackeray’s famous uncle Bal Thackeray did not approve of his nephew’s actions! Interestingly enough, it was Mr. Bal. Thackeray and his Shiv Sena who first raised the slogan “Maharashtra for Maharashtrian”. Several decades after, now it is his nephew who is trying to earn some political gain by applying the same medicine. Raj Thackeray severed his political allegiance from Shiv Sena and has formed his new party MNS. He is desperately seeking some political mileage and hence would not mind treading the same path his uncle used in the beginning. It is not that Raj Thackeray has become a leader of so great a stature that the government would think twice to take some quick action against him.

Some political parties strongly protested Raj Thackeray’s actions and demanded strong actions against him. The BJP leader, L.K. Advani condemned the MNS action by clearly stating, “No political party should say or do anything that weakens the countries unity or undermines the constitution”. Some other leaders of various political parties also condemn the MNS activities, which goes against the soul and spirit of our nation. Many political leaders from Bihar including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, central minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and Ram Vilas Paswan and others raised their voices against Raj Thackeray and his rowdies. But one feels that it was not enough. Most of the leaders and some political parties were more concerned with their posts and political affiliations than with national integrity, harmony and country’s welfare.

Sharad Power’s NCP and the Maharashtra state government remained a mute spectator for days together. It did little to stop Raj Thackeray and MNS and did not take any action perhaps for fear of antagonizing its Maharashtrian vote bank. So was the case with the allies of NCP in the state as well as in the center. The dilly-dallying approach adopted by the center in directing the Vilashrao Deshmukh government to quell the disturbances quickly and with strong hands tells the truth. It was sickening to see the stony silence maintained by the congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi over the issue. It is a tragedy that both of them represent Uttar Pradesh in the parliament and remember, it was the poor migrants of Uttar Pradesh who along with the Bihari Migrants were being persecuted in Maharashtra. This goes on to show how much our elected members feel for the well being of their electorates!

It is a pity and real tragedy too that most of the political leaders who are supposed to lead the nation foreword to a brighter future and show the people of the country the right path are least concerned with the well-being of the nation or it’s people. Unfortunately, they are more concerned with their own gains than with the nations or it’s people’s welfare. Otherwise why did not they stand up as one man against Raj Thackeray, condemned his activities in one voice and demanded stern action against the pugnacious Maratha for his obnoxious activities? Can’t they visualize that any leniency shown towards people of such thinking will encourage other narrow minded people all over the country who might also dare to experiment with the idea in their respective states for their personal gains at the risk of the country’s unity.

Author: Subhash Dey
copyright: openarticlesubmission.com

Related posts:

1. Minority Communalism – A Great Threat to the Nation
2. Honorable Indian – National Prestige
3. Taslima Nasreen – Indian Government in a Fix
4. New Look Indian Team