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Now, Shiv Sena says migrants a nuisance

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Express news service

Posted online: Friday , February 22, 2008 at 08:39:42
Updated: Friday , February 22, 2008 at 08:59:00


Mumbai, February 22: The Shiv Sena continues its flip-flop over the issue of migrants in Mumbai and Maharashtra, displaying its apparent discomfort since breakaway leader Raj Thackeray hijacked the party’s traditional pro-Marathi agenda.

On Thursday, party chief Bal Thackeray not only lambasted migrants, calling them a nuisance and a burden, but also vehemently opposed the introduction of Hindi as an official language in Sena-ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

In the latest edition of Saamna, the Sena mouthpiece, Thackeray slammed the demand by some north Indian corporators to introduce Hindi as an official language. The official language of the civic body is Marathi.

Besides, Saamna also published an editorial on the issue of migrants, cautioning the BMC as well as Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh to be on their guard on the issue.

“Since its formation, Maharashtra is facing the nuisance of migrants, they are a burden on Maharashtra’s land,” Thackeray said.

“Because of outsiders, cities like Mumbai are dying. Tall towers have come up but life has become unaffordable for the middle class, the situation in Mumbai is such that builders of towers and buyers are both outsiders, having nothing to do with Maharashtra’s culture,” he said.

Thackeray said the Sena would never tolerate introduction of Hindi as an official language in BMC as, if accepted, it could lead to a similar demand in the Legislative Assembly.

“We say that if it is not possible to stop (migrants), at least don’t roll out a carpet to welcome them,” the editorial said.

The editorial demanded action against Congress leaders in the BMC for demanding Hindi as an official language.

Taking a dig at Deshmukh, the editorial said he was aware of the nuisance of migrants as Saint Naroba (for Narayan Rane) had migrated to the Congress “and is crawling up his chair like a bedbug”.

Separately, Goregaon MLA and Sena spokesperson Subhash Desai also voiced the party’s opposition to the use of Hindi as an official language in the BMC and said the Sena would celebrate February 27 as “Marathi Bhasha Divas”.

Desai told reporters that all local bodies in Maharashtra used Marathi as their official language and BMC could not be an exception.

He indicated that the Sena would oppose the proposal when it was tabled in the House. The Sena, which has launched a statewide campaign to demand loan waivers for farmers, would also demonstrate on February 26 to mobilise farmers against the state and Central governments.

Desai said though the Centre was making moves to ensure loan waivers, there were fears that such measures might turn out to be cosmetic and pointed out that suicides in Vidharbha had increased after relief packages announced by the state and Centre.

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BAL THACKERAY YOU ARE A BIGGER NUISANCE TO THE NATION THAN THOSE POOR MIGRANTS by BHARAT BHOOMIPUTRA on 24 Feb 2008

Indians from one province of India living in the other integral part of India are not foreigners, let’s get that clear message to this old and senile goonda, Bal Thackeray. Let it be clear to these three Thackeray Badmash that the citizens of India have a constitutional right and guarantee to live, carry on business and earn their livelihood in any other part of the country they wish without being harassed by goondas like you. And under this constitutional right and guarantee, it is the duty of the State and Central Governments’ Home Ministries and police to safeguard and protect the lives, liberty, property and the right of movement and migration of its citizens. What Bal Thackeray has uttered from his bewda smelling mouth has no logic, is illegal, unconstitutional. By uttering such nonsense, he is breaking the law and therefore should be severely dealt with according to the laws. The people of India and its Constitution will not permit you to take the law into your own hands and divide people on the basis of caste, race, province or religion and so on for your narrow-minded parochial and divisive politics. By doing so you are alienating other non-Marathis from voting for you. By your same arguement, what about millions of Marathis living and working in other provinces of India? Will you accommodate these millions of Marathis working in other States in your homes if they are sent back to where they came from?

Balkans and India by Eddy on 23 Feb 2008

After the disintegration of Mughul rule the British took over byt they allowed smaller rajahs to retain their throne albeit without any real power except having their own postage stamps and railways. Carving out states, after independence, based on language was a fatal mistake, as is having regiments in the army based on the same principle. What if one day the commander of the Maratha regiment says his troops will remain only in Maharashtra? The Sikh regiment will then say that they would only like to be based in the Punjab, and so on. A country divided within itself cannot stand. By allowing Kosovo, a Muslim country, to become independent in Europe is like having the enemy right under their noses!

son of the soil by g.sen on 22 Feb 2008

Balthakeray should immediately carveout Maharashtra immediately from the body of india to claim the right of the son of the soil.

Legal segregation in S.Africa and USA, has failed to work. by DILIP/FRANCE on 22 Feb 2008

Balasaheb's emotive rhetoric may strike a chord with narrow minded Marathis or resonate with those who are Anti-Hindi,but in truth is flawed,irrelevant and a recpie of a Mumbai diaster. If Mumbai has any aspiration, of becoming the future Financial Capital oF Asia, he is trying to stranglre the babay in the bathwater, with his parochial,counterproductive and narrowminded/shortsighted outlook. No power on earth can interfere with the dynamic prcoees of evolution,intelligent design,market forces and laws of supply and demand.He is using the North Indians as whipping boys and scapegoats,rather than blameing the politiciansof econmic mismanagement,inept governance and lakc of transparent accountability. Controoled immigartion,based on cost benefit analysis, has provrd immense economic and social benefits and cotntributions.In the long run Mumbai will be the econmic looser, with such parochial and muddled jingoism.Leagal aggressive social segeregation and social mobility, will have major economic imapct on Maha's economic developments.Do not feel so insecure but accept the positive.

Raj to Swarajya by Raj's Friend on 22 Feb 2008

Love Bal, Raj, Uddhav and all people in maharashtra as yourself. One must share benefits of economic development with society. Be involved in some way in teaching those who need to be taught, give their old dresses to those who haven'nt any, start giving in some way, even help some one close who needs help, like moral support, care, sharing foods, join laughing club and teach others to laugh to overcome stress, so on, there are many such activities. Overlooking such others is bound to bring prejudices in society. Each individual Canadians are one of the largest donor to charities, one must start doing this here.

protest and resentment---- by romesh.sharma on 22 Feb 2008

Though the words sound harsh and insulting to the constitution of the Nation but this is well justified protest against how the Centre is working with levity.People's resentments are due to half-hearted,malignant,choosey,favourism and appeasement policies.So much money is spent to better infrastructure and job opportunities in Bihar,UP,Chhatisgarh and WestBenagal but in over six decades there is no change and people are migrating to other solvent states which definitely becomes burden to the local populace.Sure within one Nation there has to be no restrictions but that one nation must have one law for all states and communities.Why Hindi has to be official language here in this part and why not in whole of the Nation?Hindi,which is National language must be imposed on all citizens and no one should get Govt job without clearing Language Test and no MPs or who-so-ever is representing the states must fluently speak Hindi.There has to be only use of Hindi in Lower and Upper House.Conflicts like this are more serious than comnflicts of faith and they weaken the sense of patriotism and unity.This Govt has nothing on agenda to secure people's interests or protect them from growing antipathy.Within four years of UPA rule the nation has turned into chaotic situation without internal security and neighbours are showing muscles taking this opportunity.There is only one Mantra to strengthen the country and that is One Constitution,One law of equality,no special treatments or statuses but actions through merit.

TAKE AWY HINDI by Virkam on 22 Feb 2008

Tell me one simple thing. Who made Hindi as national language? and why it has to be made when 75% of Indian population is not having it as national langauge.. And on the top of that few hindi speaking states making use of this fact and trying to impose it on other states..TAKE AWAY HINDI AS NATIONAL LANGAUGE , the problems are solved

Hindi by Raamesh on 22 Feb 2008

If Hindi must be our National language (simply because it is spoken by most people), then in deference to ex-CM Shri Annadurai of Tamil Nadu, Rat should be made national animal and crow the national bird. Then non-Hindi speakers will accept Hindi.

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