Mumbai wants rule of law, Raj

India has been witnessing the utter disregard that Raj Thackeray, chief of the Maharshtra Navnirman Sena(MNS) has shown for democratic values. It his trademark style he and his 'supporters' first went about vandalising the various english language signboards, hoardings and the like in Mumbai, which prides itself as the commercial capital of India. Mumbai plays host to a large number of business travellers from across the world. How does Raj Thackeray expect his 'Aamchi Mumbai' to prosper in the backdrop of such utter contempt for the convenience of those travellers who bring business and opportunity to Mumbaikars?

After his misguided tirade against Amitabh Bachhan, who being the man that he is refused to buckle and stood firm his ground, Raj has gone and picked on Jaya Bachhan's innocuous comment at the 'Drona' music launch. When Jaya Bachhan was called to the stage, she ribbed her son and his producer / director friend, Goldie Behl both of whom addressed the relatively small audience in english, by saying that she would speak in hindi since she is from UP. Mr Raj Thackeray, a comment at a private function is not a political statement. You need to explain to the Indian people what was so disturbing in her comment that you took offence as the guardian of the marathi language and the marathi speaking people. Is the vast legacy of a rich language like marathi and the culture of its people so fragile that it would be damaged by a celebrity making a speech in hindi. Would you be happier if Jaya Bachhan had spoken in english instead? India demands an answer from you and the MNS.

It is indeed ironic that the likes of Raj Thackeray forget that to be good Mumbaikar one needs to be a good Maharashtrian first and to be a good Maharashtrian one needs to be a good Indian first and it can not be any other way. Sane and rational people of our country would not allow it to be any other way. Raj Thackeray and his brand of 'leaders' must be made to realize this truth by the democratic people of Maharshtra. Mumbaikars must uphold their long-cherished democratic traditions and make these misguided 'youth' leaders realise that parochial and chauvistic politics will only destroy the social fabric of a throbbing metrolpolis, a truly world city like Mumbai. The Raj Thackerays of this world must be made to pay a price for their follies. The political leadership ensconed in their ivory towers, for fearing of rousing passions, would not like to precipitate matters by branding Raj Thackeray a 'goon', a 'troublemaker' and putting him where he belongs : behind bars, but the secular and liberal democratic people of Mumbai and Maharashtra must do the best they can : say 'NO' to his brand of chauvinistic politics in the next elections which he contests.

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