What is it so bad about calling Mumbai, Bombay? Why is there a ruckus over Taxi Driver’s Rule? Why are people from UP and Bihar not allowed to write Exams in Mumbai?
There have been many incidents in Mumbai involving and creating divide between Maharashtrian
Community and others majorly those from Bihar and UP. The latest one where the state Cabinet has
passed a resolution for taxi drivers to compulsorily be able to read and write Marathi. Also, a
driver should have stayed in the state for more than 15 years. As the new Spread there have been
debates all over.
Our View: Let us try to understand the perspectives and motives of all the parties involved in this.
1st MNS, Shiv Sena: They already claim to be a Marathi party with their motives to promote anything
that is Maharashtrian in nature and oppose anything that is not. They have been yelling out their
anger towards people from 2 Indian States UP and Bihar, saying that they create job pressure for the locals, who are not able to compete with others or find it difficult to get a job. Remember an incident where the MNS party workers had attacked examinations halls where some local exams were being conducted and which had people from the 2 states (UP-Bihar), among others, taking the tests, dis-allowing them for write the exam. They have been doing this to get the votes, Marathi votes. This also means that there are followers of such philosophy. So its motive is to get the votes and popularity, which it is getting !!!
2nd Politicians from UP, Bihar: They have been condemning this, right they are. But they also are
doing this for getting their share of votes in their states. Had they thought of complete security
and rights of the people of their state, they would have taken all the measures to curtail
corruption, stopped killings, maintained very good law and order in their states. Also, they would
have created equal opportunity for people in their states for them to make progress in their home
states. And it is wrong on people to have selected such a government, probably they have
adopted/taken up bribe/corruption, violence as a way to living !!!
3rd Locals: We are supporting our leaders, which means we are also culprit for the same. It is the divide in our minds that politicians are exploiting. For people of Maharashtra, why are we not opposing people from other states? Why have we allowed them? Because it is to our advantage to allow people from other states as they create jobs, bring money, and have financial power to run the show. We can not afford to dis-allow them. So if we have accepted people from other states, created policies to promote trade by getting people from other states, then we should accept people from other 2 states as well and make rules so that law and order doesn’t get hurt. But we can not behave as opportunist. For people of Bihar and UP, why do we still select such government who can not work
for our good. Why do we still leave our hometowns to get education and job in other states? Why can’t we stay there and create jobs for all of us and others too. That is the real challenge.
As a country with such a vast diversity, it is but obvious that we will have difference of opinions. Possibly we will completely fail to understand other person’s perspective but that doesn’t mean that we resolve to violence. We are a democratic nation and should have the patience to see that things take shape as per democracy. I know many still will not buy this argument, I do not mind, as I know that there are many other who would appreciate this.