2008 attacks on North Indians in Maharashtra

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2008 attacks on North Indians in Maharashtra
Location of the state of Maharashtra, India
Date	February 3, 2008 —April 1, 2008
Places	Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad, Beed, Nashik and Latur in Maharashtra
Result	35,000 North Indians flee the state

The 2008 attacks on North Indians in Maharashtra began after violent clashes between workers of political parties—Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Samajwadi Party (SP)—in Mumbai, capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. On February 3, 2008 workers of MNS, a faction formed after splitting from Shiv Sena (a major political party of Maharashtra), and those of SP, the leading opposition party in Uttar Pradesh, clashed after MNS tried to attack the latter who were proceeding to attend a rally organized by the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) at Shivaji Park, Dadar.^[1]

In a lead up to these clashes, Raj Thackeray had days earlier made remarks about the Bollywood actor, Amitabh Bachchan, who is a resident of Mumbai, by questioning his loyalty towards Maharashtra. He accused Amitabh of showing "more interest" in his native state of Uttar Pradesh than Maharashtra, where he attained fame and popularity. He also made critical remarks on the celebration of Chhath Puja by North Indian migrants, calling it a 'drama' and a 'show of arrogance'.^[2][3]

After days of hesitation,^[4][5] the police ultimately arrested Raj and Abu Asim Azmi (a local SP leader) on February 13, 2008. They were charged under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code including instigation of violence and causing communal disturbance. A gag order was also imposed on both the leaders to prevent them from making any further inflammatory remarks that could result into a law and order situation.^[6] The news of Raj's possible and later his eventual arrest heightened tensions in Maharashtra. Incidences of violence against North Indians and their property by MNS supporters were reported from Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Amravati, Beed, Aurangabad and Latur. Nearly 25,000 North Indian workers fled Pune,^[7][8] and another 10,000 fled Nashik in the wake of attacks.^[9][10] The mass exodus of workers affected the industries because of the resulting acute labour shortage. Economic losses of Rs. 500 – 700 crores were estimated by industry analysts.^[10] Though violence against North Indians calmed down after the arrests of the two leaders, sporadic attacks were reported till April 2008.

The attacks on North Indians evoked critical reactions from various parts of the country, particularly the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar political leadership. Even Raj's uncle, Bal Thackeray, the chief of Shiv Sena, who has also criticised the influx of North Indians in the past, disapproved of Raj's criticism of Bachchan by calling it "stupidity".^[11][12] However a month later, in his editorial in Saamna, Shiv Sena's political mouthpiece, Bal Thackeray wrote that Biharis antagonised local populations wherever they went and were an "unwelcome lot" across the country.^[13] The editorial drew widespread condemnation, and was slated as an attempt to recapture his party's Marathi sons-of-soil plank, which was being hijacked by Raj.^{[14][15][16][17]} After the expiry of the gag order, Raj resumed his stance against North Indian migrants by criticising them in his speeches at party functions.^[18]

Contents 1 Background 1.1 Raj’s criticism of Amitabh Bachchan 1.2 Raj’s remarks on Chhath Puja and migrants 1.3 Clashes between MNS and SP workers 2 Attacks 2.1 February 2.2 March and April 3 Arrests of Raj Thackeray and Abu Asim Azmi 3.1 Expression of displeasure by the Supreme Court 4 Exodus of North Indians from Maharashtra 4.1 Nashik 4.2 Pune 4.3 Effects on local industries 5 Political reactions 6 Media's coverage and response 6.1 Local vernacular media 7 Political analysis 8 Resumption of verbal attacks 8.1 Raj Thackeray 8.2 Bal Thackeray 9 References 10 External links

[edit] Background

Raj Thackeray, the estranged nephew of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, formed the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) after quitting Shiv Sena^[19] after being 'sidelined' by Bal's son Uddhav.^[20] MNS, which was created on March 9, 2006, was joined by mainly those Shiv Sainiks (Shiv Sena members) who supported Raj, in contrast to his cousin Uddhav. The party was founded on the political ideology of being the benefactor of the local Marathi population (Marathi Manoos). Keeping in line with its ideology, Raj has repeatedly blamed the influx of North Indians (Uttar Bhartiyas, literally meaning 'people from North India'), predominantly those from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, for causing a shortage of jobs for Maharahstrians.^[21]

[edit] Raj’s criticism of Amitabh Bachchan

Targeting Amitabh Bachchan in his speeches at political rallies, Raj asserted that the actor was "more inclined" towards his native state than Maharashtra, where he attained fame and stardom. He expressed his disapproval of Amitabh’s inaugurating a girls' school named after his daughter-in-law—actress Aishwarya Rai—at Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh, rather than in Maharashtra.^[22] According to media reports, Raj's censure of Amitabh, whom he admires, stemmed out of his disappointment of not being invited to Amitabh's son Abhishek's marriage to Aishwarya, despite invitations to his estranged uncle Bal and cousin Uddhav.^[23][24]

Responding to Raj's accusations, the actor's wife—SP MP Jaya Bachchan—said that they (Bachchans) were willing to start a school in Mumbai, provided the MNS leader donated the land needed to build it. She said, "I heard that Raj Thackeray owns huge properties in Maharashtra, in Mumbai—Kohinoor Mills. If he is willing to donate land, we can start a school in the name of Aishwarya here."^[25] However, Amitabh abstained from commenting on the issue. Refuting Raj’s allegations, Bal Thackeray said: "Amitabh Bachchan is an open-minded person and he has great love for Maharashtra and this is evident on many occasions. The actor has often said that Maharashtra and specially Mumbai has given him great fame and affection. He has also said that what he is today is because of the love people have given him. The people of Mumbai have always acknowledged him as an artiste. Despite all this it was utter foolishness to make these parochial allegations against him. Amitabh is a global superstar. People all over the world respect him. This cannot be forgotten by anyone. Amitabh should ignore these silly accusations and concentrate on his acting."^[26]

On March 23, more than a month and half after Raj's remarks, Amitabh finally spoke out in an interview to a local tabloid saying, "Random charges are random; they do not deserve the kind of attention you wish me to give."^[27] Then on March 28, at a press conference for the International Indian Film Academy, when asked what his take was on the anti-migrant issue, Amitabh said that it is one's fundamental right to live anywhere in the country and the constitution entitles so.^[28] He also added that he was not affected by Raj's comments.^[29]

[edit] Raj’s remarks on Chhath Puja and migrants

At party rallies Raj had also reproached North Indian migrants on the celebration of Chhath Puja, a festival popular in Bihar, calling it a 'drama' and a 'show of arrogance'. He demanded that they must only celebrate Maharashtrian festivals.^[30] A petition was filed in the Patna civil court on February 8 against him for his remarks over Chhath Puja.^[31] His statements drew flak from leaders of Bihar, especially Indian Railways minister and former chief minister of Bihar, Lalu Prasad Yadav, who challenged that he will come to Mumbai and perform Chhath Puja in front of Raj's house. The MNS chief had also accused migrants of disrespecting the local culture. On February 9, expressing his stance on newer migrants settling in the city, Raj said, "New immigrants to the city should be denied entry into the city, while those already staying here should show respect to the Marathi 'manoos' and his culture."^[32]

[edit] Clashes between MNS and SP workers

On February 3, 2008, party workers of MNS and SP indulged in street fighting after the former tried to attack the latter, who were proceeding to attend a rally organized by the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) at Shivaji Park, Dadar in Mumbai, an MNS stronghold.^[1] The rally was to be addressed by former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, former Andhra Pradesh chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah, former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala, former Jharkhand chief minister Babulal Marandi and many others.^[33] Police arrested 73 MNS and 19 SP workers after these clashes.^[34]

SP approached the Election Commission to demand de-registration of the MNS, arguing that it had no allegiance to the Indian Constitution. SP general secretary Amar Singh petitioned the Commission that action be taken against the MNS and its leaders for issuing "veiled as well as open threats" against non-Maharashtrians.^[35] In a letter to Marathi daily Loksatta, Raj justified his partymen's attack as a response to—"provocative and unnecessary show of strength", "uncontrolled political and cultural dadagiri (bullying) of the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar migrants and their leaders"—and questioned, "Do political movements need to obey the law?"^[36] Later on February 10, at a press conference he warned, "What happened in Mumbai in the past one week was only a reaction and if leaders of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar try to demonstrate their strength here, such reactions would recur."^[37]

[edit] Attacks

[edit] February

The attacks began on February 3 with relatively minor incidents, but by February 13 two people were killed and a hawker had both of his hands chopped off.

On February 3, immediately after clashes with SP, MNS workers assaulted North Indian taxi drivers and damaged their vehicles in Dadar, Mumbai. The police was criticised for remaining mute spectators as MNS workers attacked taxi-drivers, hawkers and ordinary North Indians.^[38] Later however, over 25 MNS workers were picked up by the police on charges of rioting.^[39] Inspector Motiram Kadam and sub-inspector Deepak Pawar, who were assigned duty at Dadar, were suspended for dereliction of duty.^[40] A departmental inquiry was instituted against the police inaction.^[40] In the night, 150 suspected MNS activists ransacked Pratap talkies in Thane and pulled out the print of the Bhojpuri film Saiyan se Solah Singaar and burnt it. The activists also damaged the theatre and destroyed the seats. A similar incident was reported in Nashik.^[41]

On February 4, Amitabh Bachchan's bungalow at Juhu, Mumbai was attacked by two motorcycle-borne MNS supporters, who hurled bottles at his house.^[4] In Mumbai, a group of MNS activists barged inside the booking office of theGrant Road railway station, damaged the booking office windows and tore off posters of a newly released Bhojpuri film put up there. Acivists resorted to stone-throwing in some parts of Kandivli East, a North-Mumbai suburb which has a sizeable North Indian lower middle-class population. In Bandra suburb, MNS tried to plant party flags before an open market dominated by North Indians. When the party men were opposed, a clash ensued.^[42]

On February 5, the offices of Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari and North Indian Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam were stoned by MNS supporters.^[43][44] On February 7, a group of 20 to 25 MNS activists forced themselves into the Central Mumbai office of the Bombay Taximen's Union, where they assaulted office staff and damaged property. In response to the attack, the 55,000 member strong Union immediately called for a flash strike.^[45][46] The strike was then called off after R. R. Patil, the Home Minister of Maharashtra, assured the Union of justice and safety.^[47] A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by an advocate named Arvind Shukla seeking directions to the Election Commission to derecognise MNS in view of "anti-national activities".^[48]

On February 12, MNS workers attacked vendors and shopkeepers from North India in various parts of Maharashtra, and destroyed government property to vent their anger against the reported move to arrest Raj.^[49] Sporadic violence was reported from Beed and Aurangabad. There was stone-pelting on state-run buses in these areas, after which some MNS workers were taken into preventive custody. In Nashik, MNS activists vandalised several shops belonging to north Indians, forcing other shops and business establishments to close down.^[49] One shopkeeper was severely beaten up and he had to be admitted to Nashik General Hospital.^[49] Banks and schools were promptly shut down after these incidents. Stone pelting by angry mobs was also reported from the city's Shalimar and Bytco squares, and the Satpur and Ambad industrial areas remained closed. Nashik police detained 26 MNS workers after the violence. Six municipal corporators were also put under preventive arrest.^[49] Additional police pickets were deployed in various parts of the city, including Shalimar and Ambad Chowk, Satpur, Nashik Road, the MNS head office at Mumbai Naka and some of the city suburbs.^[49] In Pune, MNS workers pelted stones on state-run buses and attacked a few shop-owners in Pune's Laxmi Road area, prompting shops to shut down to avoid similar attacks.^[49]

On February 13, the Mumbai police announced a move to put Raj under their custody, which created an upsurge of violence in the state and led to two deaths. Attacks on North Indians were reported from Mumbai, Pune, Jalna, Beed, Aurangabad and Latur.^[50] Shops, offices and other business establishments were shut down in different parts of Mumbai, as MNS activists threatened violence in case their leader was arrested. The worst affected were central Mumbai localities, especially around Dadar and Shivaji Park, the strongholds of both the MNS and the Shiv Sena. The police blocked roads in front of the residence of Raj in the Shivaji Park area. A civic activist named James John was assaulted while he was attempting to photograph some people forcing shopowners to down shutters in JB Nagar, Andheri. John suffered two rib fractures and bruises on his lungs.^[51] In Nashik, an employee of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, ironically a Maharashtrian, was killed after being hit by a stone during stone-pelting on state run buses by MNS supporters.^[52] A migrant from Bihar, who was a watchman with a private company at Igatpuri in Nashik district, was killed by a mob.^[53]

More than 400 MNS workers were rounded up by the police in Mumbai and Aurangabad on February 13.^[54] In Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, MNS workers went on a rampage following the arrest of Raj, during which windows and windscreens of 11 buses were smashed. Thirteen rioters allegedly owing allegiance to MNS were arrested from Pune.^[54] MNS activists also chopped off both hands of a Bihari hawker sleeping on the streets. He was severly beaten following which he fell unconscious. When he gained consciousness the following day he found himself in a hospital with both hands amputated.^[55] The injured, mainly hawkers, were treated at the Nashik Civil Hospital after they were beaten up. Shops along Nashik Road were closed down following the incident. Incidents of stone-pelting on state-run buses were reported from the Nashik Road, Ambad, Ravivar Peth and Gangapur areas. Bus services were severely curtailed and diverted via Nipani.^[54] In Amrawati, MNS workers blocked roads and pelted stones at buses, damaging several vehicles in the process.^[54] Though contingents of the Rapid Action Force and the Central Industrial Security Force were deployed in many parts of the state, the police could not control violence by MNS activists who adopted hit-and-run methods of attack.^[50] More than 200 activists of the MNS were arrested across Nashik. However, many of the activists went underground and and coordinated with party activists from undisclosed locations.^[50]

[edit] March and April

The attacks simmered down after mid-February due to the arrest and imposition of a gag order on Raj. However, isolated cases of attacks were reported until April 2008. On March 22, six North Indians were beaten up by a group of Holi revellers, suspected to be MNS workers, in Santa Cruz, Mumbai.^[56] On the same day, a shop owned by a North Indian was ransacked by a group of 10 –15 drunken men, who pelted stones and beat up his son and daughters for refusing to provide free food.^[57] On March 29, at least five taxis owned by North Indians were damaged in Central Mumbai by motorcycle-borne assailants. Four people were arrested.^[58][59] On April 1, four labourers travelling on the Konkan Kanya Express from Thane to Margao in search of jobs were beaten up and looted by some men in Raigad district after being identified as North Indians.^[60]

[edit] Arrests of Raj Thackeray and Abu Asim Azmi

Raj Thackeray and SP leader Abu Asim Azmi were booked under Indian Penal Code sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 153 A (promoting enmity between groups on the basis of place of birth, residence, etc.) and 153 B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) on February 11.^[6] The police also applied section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code to both politicians and warned them not to hold any press conferences or rallies in the next seven days.^[61]

On February 13, police arrested both the leaders. Later that day, Raj was granted conditional bail by a local court which ordered that he not make any speeches that will inflame public tension. He was released after furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 15,000.^[62] Azmi was arrested and taken to the Bhoiwada court in South Central Mumbai. He was released on surety of Rs. 10,000.^[6]

Raj appealed before the court against the gag order imposed on him. He stated that he had to move around different places in Maharashtra for propounding the philosophy of his party and that such an order was an infringement of his 'fundamental rights'.^[63] The court on February 22, dismissed his appeal to re-track the extension of gag order passed against him^[63] following which MNS started a signature campaign to get support against the gag order. According to MNS, Maharashtrian actors Nana Patekar and Shreyas Talpade had shown support in opposing the gag order, along with actors Salman Khan and Suneil Shetty.^[64] However Salman Khan and Suneil Shetty later denied the MNS's claim.^[65][66] A show cause notice was served to Raj by the police asking him why the gag order against him should not be extended.^[64]

Over 1,800 activists were put under arrest for substantive offences and as a preventive measure since violence erupted on the streets of Mumbai on February 13, according to the Joint Commissioner of Mumbai Police (Law and Order), K. L. Prasad.^[67]

[edit] Expression of displeasure by the Supreme Court

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against Raj's inflammatory speeches was appealed in the Supreme Court of India. However, the court refused to entertain the PIL and directed the petitioner to have faith in the Bombay High Court and seek further hearing there. Nevertheless, the bench of judges expressed their displeasure over Raj's anti-migrant remarks and the political developments. On February 22, while hearing the PIL, the three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices R V Ravindran and Markandey Katju observed,

"We understand the situation there [in Maharashtra] and what is happening. This is one country and we will not accept son-of-soil theory. We will not permit Balkanisation of this country."^[68]

In another apparent rebuff to Raj Thackeray, the Supreme Court asserted that every Indian has the right to settle anywhere in the country. A bench consisting Justices H K Sema and Markandey Katju remarked,

"India is not an association or confederation of states, it is a union of states and there is only one nationality that is Indian. Hence every Indian has right to go anywhere in India, to settle anywhere and do business of his choice in any part of India peacefully. We are one nation and must respect each other and should have tolerance."^[69]

The apex court made the observation while upholding the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's move to ban the sale of meat in the town during nine-day "Paryushan festival" observed by the Jain community.^[70]

[edit] Exodus of North Indians from Maharashtra

[edit] Nashik

The news of Raj's possible arrest provoked a heightened attack on the North Indians in the industrial town of Nashik in Maharashtra, Raj's political stronghold.^[71] An estimated 10,000 people left the city.^[72] North Indians left the city by buses, trains and even private vehicles.^[10][72] Railway officials said that this was the largest crowd using the railroad since the Sinhasta Kumbha Mela in 2003–2004. It was perhaps one of the largest exoduses from a single district in the country ever.^[73] Chhagan Bhujbal, Nashik’s guardian minister, reported that 15,000 migrant workers had left the city in the aftermath of the violence against North Indians.^[74]

[edit] Pune

In Pune, an estimated 25,000 workers left the city in the wake of the attacks, according to government officials.^[8][7] Pune's District Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar and Collector Prabhakar Deshmukh held meetings of various people's representatives to stop the mass departure. They were joined by local Congress MP Suresh Kalmadi, who picketed at Pune railway station to allay fears of those boarding the trains with their family members, carrying their meagre belongings.^[8][7]

[edit] Effects on local industries

Local industries in Nashik, especially those located in the Ambad Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation area, were affected due to the large-scale migration. According to a report, 40 percent small and medium industries in the Ambad industrial area had been closed down due to the migration. Though the local industries at Nashik are ancillary units, they provide material to big industries such as Mahindra and Mahindra and Crompton Greaves. Losses resulting from the exodus were estimated to be Rs. 500 – 700 crore.^[72]

In Pune, where the construction industry was badly hit, some local organisations, working for porters, construction workers and casual labourers, tried to stop the exodus.^[75] These organisations met to set up a National Integration Committee (NIC), and charted out an action plan as a confidence-building measure among the migrants in the city. One of the resolutions passed at the meeting was to encourage participation of the North Indians in all festivities in the near future.^[75] In fact, ninety percent of the labour force in Pune consists of migrants; 60 percent of these come from Bihar and UP. It was also feared that the stoppage of construction activities will adversely affect the plans of hosting certain events of the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games to be held in the city.^[75]

[edit] Political reactions

The attacks evoked severe responses from political parties and their leaders, particularly of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Mayawati, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, accused the Congress-ruled Maharashtra government of failing to prevent the attacks. She demanded centre intervention to protect the lives and properties of North Indians in the state.^[4] Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said "Mumbai ujad jayega (Mumbai will be ruined)". In response to the attacks on taxi drivers and vendors, he added: "What will happen in Mumbai if taxis go off the roads? Mumbai will come to a standstill."^[4] Lalu Prasad Yadav on February 05, 2008 took up the issue of attacks on North Indians with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and demanded action against those involved in them.^[76] Commenting on Raj Thackeray, Lalu Prasad said "He is desperate and such type of leader will never be successful in the country. The Government should take action against him and his supporters".^[76]

In the national capital, Delhi, political and social organisations launched street protests and burnt Raj's effigy, while members of the BJP's Poorvanchal cell held a demonstration demanding that the dismissal of the Maharashtra government.^[4] In Allahabad, SP workers tried to obstruct the movement of trains in protest. In Uttar Pradesh's capital, Lucknow, National Congress Party activists burnt an effigy of Raj.^[4] In Patna, capital of Bihar, RJD's youth wing staged a demonstration against Raj and the MNS. Thackeray's effigies were burnt also in Jamshedpur in the state of Jharkhand.^[4]

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh condemned Raj's actions and promised to protect migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and at the same time warned SP from hijacking the situation for political mileage.^[4] The National Congress Party, a key member of the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, also criticised Raj Thackeray and said the campaign was a "cheap publicity stunt".^[77] On February 6, 2008, about 200 MNS party workers quit their party and re-joined Shiv Sena, to protest against the MNS's anti-North Indian agenda.^[78]

On March 9, Congress President Sonia Gandhi declared that there should be no leniency towards those stoking regional and communal passions. "Unity and integrity are the basic conditions for progress of the nation and to fight terrorism. There should be no leniency towards those who seek to discriminate on the basis of religion and region," Sonia Gandhi said.^[79] She asserted that the country belongs to all and all have equal rights to it, and that it is the responsibility of all to ensure security of life and property of every citizen in any part of the country.^[79]

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Lal Krishna Advani of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticising the attacks commented, "No political party should say or do anything that weakens the country's unity or undermines the Constitution."^[80] BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar alleged that the Congress State government deliberately delayed taking any action when the attacks on North Indians began in Mumbai. Javadekar said that he suspected that the Congress had a strategy to divide Maharashtrian and non-Maharashtrian votes, by creating a feeling of insecurity among non-Maharashtrians in the hope that they would vote for the Congress. He blamed the Congress for trying to divert people's attention from more critical problems which the state of Maharashtra faces, such as the agrarian crisis and load-shedding. He added: "India is one and every Indian has a right to settle down and work in any part of the country."^[81]

The Communist Party of India demanded stringent action against those inciting violence and asked democratic forces to launch a united struggle against such elements. The party also accused the media, particularly the electronic media, of encouraging anti-national and parochial forces by giving them "undue publicity".^[82] According to a resolution adopted at its 20th national Congress at Hyderabad, no adequate action is being taken against those who indulge in chauvinistic slogans and perpetuate hooliganism, and the ruling Congress-led coalition and the opposition BJP are utilising these forces for their local political gains. The resolution also said, "Opportunistic, parochial and chauvinistic" forces like Shiv Sena and MNS have exploited the situation for narrow electoral gains and demanded compensation for those affected by the violence. The resolution stated that in 1966, Bal Thackeray gave anti-South Indian slogans and now his nephew wants to repeat that experience by giving anti-North Indian slogans.^[82]

The All India Minorities Front (AIMF) threatened to launch a nation-wide agitation against Raj if he did not mend his ways and avoid targeting North Indians and non-Maharashtrians.^[83]

[edit] Media's coverage and response

The anti-North Indian violence was labelled by sections of the national media (The Hindu,^[1] The Times of India,^[84] Deccan Herald,^[85] The Hindustan Times,^[86] The Economic Times^[75]), and international media (Khaleej Times^[87], The Indian^[88]) as a 'tirade against North Indians'. The Hindustan Times published a survey on the front page on February 15, which said that 73 percent of Mumbai believed the insular line of the MNS and its president against North Indians was denting Mumbai’s cosmopolitan image.^[89] The Hindustan Times later received a call from the MNS spokesperson Shirish Parkar protesting the findings of the study.^[89] The media, particularly those using English and Hindi, was also blamed by Raj of being biased against him.^[87] However there was also a section of people who felt that the media was giving undue publicity to Raj. According to an SMS/web poll conducted by CNN IBN, 88 percent of the voters were of the opinion that Raj Thackeray is "feeding on media hype".^[90]. On February 11, in Pune, a group of about 15 MNS activists burnt 150 copies of The Week, a weekly magazine in English, in reaction to its cover story on Raj's controversial utterences, portraying him as Mumbai's Hitler.^[91]

Editor-in-Chief of Outlook, Vinod Mehta, in a debate on the media's role on the situation said, "Here is a politician [Raj Thackeray] propounding an idea that could lead to a civil war in the country. The doctrine had to be challenged and what could the media have done? While you may argue that some images were in excess, you will also agree we had to report because this fight to the streets." Ending the debate on a sarcastic note Mehta said, "It's ridiculous! The politicians are not responsible, the state government isn't responsible, police are not to be blamed but media is responsible."^[90]

There is no denying that civic amenities in Mumbai are cracking under the added pressure of a migrant population seeking the riches of India's commercial capital. The solution cannot be wielding a lathi or a sword. Nor can it be in jingoistic expressions of Marathi pride or North Indian chest-thumping. Mumbai will do well to remember how the city came together during the train blasts (11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings). No one asked then, who is a migrant and who is a Maharashtrian. It's dangerous to solve administrative problems with ethnic quick fixes.  —CNN IBN's editorial on the matter[90]

[edit] Local vernacular media

The Marathi daily Maharashtra Times's editorial on Raj's arrest said that his arrest was a big farce, from which he emerged with pomp and style. It condemned the violence that resulted after the arrest that forced thousands of migrant workers to uproot themselves from various parts of Maharashtra.^[92] Loksatta criticised the television channels for their relentless replay of just two instances to portray the violent impact of his arrest. The edit blamed Hindi channels for making Mumbai look like Gujarat during the 2002 Gujarat riots. Another editor in the same daily also said that the "Marathi andolan" (Marathi demonstration) will not benefit any party, as the Marathi vote would get divided between the Shiv Sena and MNS.^[92] Lokmat, another popular Marathi daily, published a special on a population survey conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), according to which, there has been a 21 percent decrease in the migrant population in the city since 1961. However, the North Indian population witnessed an increase from 12 to 24 percent.^[92] Saamna’s editorial asked what wrong Ambadas Bararao, the Maharashtrian man killed in the violence, had committed.^[92] The editor of Sakal said that although Raj had gained political mileage for taking up the cause of Marathi people, its impact was severe on the migrants who had begun leaving different parts of the state.^[92]

[edit] Political analysis

Political observers commented that the attacks on North Indians by MNS were a "shrewd ploy" of their chief Raj to embarrass the Shiv Sena and usurp its core Marathi constituency.^[93] They also felt Raj was trying to gain a political foothold by imitating his uncle and political mentor Bal Thackeray, who had headed the anti-South Indian campaign- "Lungi Bhagao, Pungi Bajao'' (throw out those who wear lungis, celebrate by blowing bugles^[94]) in the 1960s during the formative years of the Shiv Sena.^{[95][96][97][98][99][100][101]}

Kumar Ketkar, the editor of the Marathi daily Loksatta, said though Raj might have achieved what he wanted but he may have not anticipated the attention it would get. He said, "He thought the media would gobble it up and just create a small storm that will shift the agenda. But the great Amar Singh and Abu Azmi fuelled the issue by taking him more seriously than what he deserves. The confrontational position aided the MNS volunteers to get into the limelight." Ketkar also said the Shiv Sena would lose in the scenario commenting,

"The Sena tried to woo the North Indians after it realised their value as a vote bank in the 2004 defeat. They realised that the demography of the city had changed within a decade. That is when they decided it was time to please the North Indians. Uddhav started organising Uttar Bharatiya functions. This is the year that he bore the fruits of his efforts. That is why Raj decided to strike at the same sentiment that the Sena played in the past—the Marathi Manoos."^[93]

The author of The Sena Story, Vaibhav Purandare, said Raj resorted to this measure to stem his party's eroding credibility. He said,

"When Raj launched his party, he first started out with an inclusive approach. When he found that it is not working, he had to do something drastic to get back into the limelight. On the other hand, the Sena was actually becoming inclusive. It even began attracting Muslims into its fold. It also began taking up the common man's issues like farmer suicides and power supply. This is Raj's attempt to take the Sena's mass base away to completely embarrass the Sena. And he has succeeded."^[93]

Both Ketkar and Purandare, however, agreed that Raj was trying to position himself as Bal Thackeray's potential successor.^[93]

[edit] Resumption of verbal attacks

[edit] Raj Thackeray

While still under the gag order, in an interview with the Marathi weekly magazine Lok Prabha of the Indian Express group, Raj was quoted as saying:

"We will go with folded hands and ask them [North Indians] to leave. If they refuse, then we will raise our hands,"^[3]

Lok Prabha editor Pravin Tokekar said: "The MNS chief has technically not made any inflammatory statement. Even when he says he and his party would go with folded hands to people asking them to leave and only raise hands if they refuse, he treads the ground gingerly without naming any community or party per se."^[3]

On March 3, at a party function organized by the MNS at Shivaji Park, after the expiry of the gag order, Raj announced, "I have not given up my mission," thus signaling to his supporters of continuing his stance on the migrant issue.^[18]

Then on May 3, despite legal warnings by the police before his rally, Raj issued a diktat to his supporters to take action whenever they encountered "injustice". At a rally at Shivaji Park, he said, "That north Indians are living in Mumbai is because of our mercy. Let it be known." He told MNS leaders to shed their complacence and advised his supporters to "take action" whenever they felt necessary. He warned that north Indians who did not speak Marathi and did not respect Marathi culture would be driven away. Raj dared the police in his speech by saying, "Arrest me for this if you can."^[102] After analysing the speech amidst demand for action against the MNS chief a senior police official quoted it was "difficult to find an explicit threat or provocation" in the text of his speech to initiate strong legal action against him and "it seems he [Raj] consulted legal experts before making the speech."^[103]

[edit] Bal Thackeray

On March 6, Bal Thackeray issued an editorial titled Ek Bihari, Sau Bimari^[104] (One Bihari, Hundred diseases^[105]) in Saamna, Shiv Sena's political mouthpiece, saying Biharis were "an unwanted lot" in the country. In what was termed as an apparent bid to recapture his party's Marathi sons of soil plank, which was being hijacked by the MNS leader Raj, Thackeray wrote about Biharis,^[14]

"They [Biharis] are not wanted in southern India, Assam and also Punjab and Chandigarh. The Biharis have antagonised local population wherever they had settled. The UP-Bihari MPs have shown their ingratitude towards Mumbai and Maharashtra with an anti-Marathi tirade in Parliament."^[14]

He also denounced Bihari MPs, saying they were "spitting in the same plate from which they ate" by criticising Mumbaikars and Maharashtrians. He also wrote, "They are trying to add fuel to the fire that has been extinguished, by saying that Mumbaikars have rotten brains."^[17] The outburst was apparently in response to MPs from Bihar who had disrupted the proceedings of the Lok Sabha in protest against the attacks on North Indians.^[17]

Bihar chief minister, Nitish Kumar, upset with the remarks, demanded that the Prime Minister and the Centre intervene in the matter immediately. The Saamna editorial prompted at least 16 Lok Sabha MPs from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, belonging to the RJD, JD (U), SP and the Congress, to give notice for breach of privilege proceedings against Bal Thackeray.^[17] After the matter was raised in the Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said: "If anybody has made any comment on our members’ functioning in the conduct of business in the House, not only do we treat that with the contempt that it deserves, but also any action that may be necessary will be taken according to procedure and well established norms. Nobody will be spared,"^[17]

On March 27, in protest against Bal Thackeray's editorial, leaders of Shiv Sena in Delhi resigned citing its "outrageous conduct" towards non-Marathis in Maharashtra and announced that they will form a separate party.^[106] Addressing a press conference Shiv Sena's North India chief Jai Bhagwan Goyal said the decision to leave the party was taken because of the "partial attitude" of the party high command towards Maharashtrians. "Shiv Sena is no different from Khalistan and Jammu and Kashmir militant groups which are trying to create a rift between people along regional lines. The main aim of these forces is to split our country. Like the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, the Shiv Sena too has demeaned North Indians and treated them inhumanely," he said.^[106][107]

Evaluating the developments, political observers in Mumbai remarked that the Shiv Sena had been "caught in a bind" by Raj’s campaign as it had in recent years sought to portray an inclusive image to try and woo the significant migrant vote in the Mumbai and Thane region in the run-up to the Assembly elections in 2009. Therefore to balance this strategy it has started speaking up for Maharashtrians to remind them that it was actually Shiv Sena which was the original voice of the local people.^[17]

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[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Raj Thackerey's letter in response journalist Sudheendra Kulkarni's criticism. The Indian Express. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
• Krishnakumar P. Analysis: What drove Raj Thackeray's party to violence. Rediff. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
• Shiv Kumar. Blot on Mumbai. The Tribune. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.