Time to combat divisive forces

The threat from the champions of the sons of the soil theory needs to be taken seriously and nipped in the bud immediately before it assumes larger than life. It also needs to be underscored that the history of civilization is based on movement of populations from one place to another. Migration from low economic activity zones to higher ones is a process that cannot be stopped. Regionalism in any case should not have any place in modern economies and political systems.

by BRIJ BHARDWAJ

In view of growing unrest among urban population with sons of soil seeking special rights or reservations and checks to keep the non-locals out a serious situation is developing which can pose a threat to national integrity and Indian nation. This threat is more serious as along with it we are also witnessing the weakening of national parties and growth of regional groups.

It is no secret that regional leaders are prepared to go any length to improve their prospects. The unfortunate part is that even the so called national parties make compromises with regional leaders for temporary advantages without caring for the long term damage they would be doing to the nation as a whole.

It is no secret that Bhartiya Janata Party may consider the victory of Narendra Modi in Gujarat as endorsement of their main plank that is Hindutva, but basically Mr. Modi won because he was able to arouse people in the name of Gujarati pride and the challenge he posed to Center represented by Congress in general and Mrs. Sonia Gandhi in person.

Under the circumstances it was no surprise that Maharashtrian leaders like Shiv Sena chief Bala Sahib Thackeray rejected Modi brand of Hindutva and tried to evoke old slogan of Mumbai Manav which has made non residents in Mumbai as their target. What started with south Indians as target has now shifted gears and made north Indians as target of Maharashtrian anger.

Shiv Sena’s main faction seeing political realities on the ground tried to soft pedal the issue as votes of North Indians settled in Mumbai have become crucial to win elections. But Mr. Raj Thackeray who lost the battle for the Shiv Sena crown had no such compulsions as he had been left with very little political base to be effective under normal circumstances decided to seize the opportunity and go back to old constituency that is letting loose his goons to attack innocent taxi drivers and small shopkeepers.

The State Government in Maharashtra which at best of times move very slowly being pulled in opposite directions by NCP leadership led by Mr. Sharad Pawar and Congress. For Mr. Pawar, Maratha pride is as important if not more as compared to his role on a national scale was very reluctant to hurt Shiv Sena or to be seen on the opposite side in war of rights for locals. The result was that even though Congress and BJP because of their compulsions sought action against Maratha goons, the action turned into worst form of appeasement Mr. Raj Thackeray has used the opportunity to revive himself instead of being pushed into a corner and so called national forces have no option but to look at the entire episode as mute spectators.

This is not the first time that regional forces have scored at the expense of national parties. This has been the case in North East, Punjab and many other states with the result that national fabric is becoming weaker every day. The compromises made by national parties in many states have resulted in their being marginalized, but no lessons have been learnt. The movement against so called outsiders who are all Indian nationals is growing in different parts of country. The unfortunate part is that while we are unable to checks the influx of Bangladeshis who have changed the profile of North East where their numbers are growing, in different parts of India our own citizens are being asked to pack their bags and return to their native land.

These outsiders in majority of cases play an important role in local economy and there will be problems in their absence. But politicians have no such worry as they refuse to look beyond their noses in different parts of country weak, poor and outsiders have been targets of militants. This was the case in Jammu and Kashmir, North East and is now happening in Maharashtra.

All those agitating for locals forget that the type of jobs which outsiders or people migrating from poor States of Bihar, U.P, Orissa and Chhatisgarh get are of such type or so badly paid that locals refuse to accept them. Who would supply milk, run taxis or sell vegetable at your doorsteps in case outsiders are pushed out. There will be no takers even to wash the dirty linen at Dhobi Ghats.

Same holds good with respect of other States where outsiders have been targets of violence. In Jammu and Kashmir there will be no masons or carpenters if outsiders are pushed out. Even in the national capital there will be no rickshaw pullers, carpenters, plumbers and others doing menial jobs if outsiders were pushed out. The list of such economic linkages is endless, but it will be futile to expect some action from politicians who irrespective of their hue and color have lost all power of rational thinking and look for immediate gains only.

For the next few years the conflicts will become worse as the extent of national awareness is increasing and so are the expectations. The choice before us is clear either we crush these divisive tendencies immediately or face revolts in different corners of country which can divide this nation which has thrived so far despite many diversities.