Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Divisive politics

Gone are the days when politics was a medium to serve society and bond the nation with integrity and brotherhood. Today, politics means provoking people and making the best of the result. Raj Thackeray’s tirade against Biharis and other Hindi-speaking people is a case in point.

He has accused actor Amitabh Bachchan of being loyal to Uttar Pradesh and not Maharashtra though he became a star in Mumbai, and opposed the Chhath puja observed by the people of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. He seems to be bent on creating divisions among the people to create his political base in Maharashtra. He should know that the people cannot be misled by such campaigns. In fact they will eventually teach those leaders — for whom Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh come before the nation — a fitting lesson.

Pranav Kumar,

New Delhi

I fail to understand the brand of nationalism that creates regional divisions instead of taking pride in the fact that we are all citizens of the same country. But what better can we expect from a person who has been groomed by the Shiv Sena which is no different from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena of which Raj Thackeray is the leader? Our politicians can never give up generating vote banks and playing divisive politics. It is for the people to ensure that they do not fall prey to such petty politicking.

Deepak Joshi,

Mumbai

Raj Thackeray says Amitabh Bachchan has ignored Maharashtra. Everyone knows who is ignoring the interests of the people of this once proud State. The whole country, including politicians of all hues, has turned a blind eye to India’s biggest agrarian crisis, unfolding in Vidharbha. Leaders like Raj Thackeray find it convenient to accuse others while they pay scant attention to the poor belonging to their own State.

S. Nityananda,

Bangalore

Maharashtra’s political parties, especially the extreme right, should realise that Mumbai’s prosperity is not due just to Maharashtrians’ efforts. The effort and contribution of people from other States are as much significant in making this metro the hub of Indian economy. Let parochial visions of some politicians not be an impediment to progress.

Col. (retd.) Ram Gulrajani,

Chennai

Raj Thackeray’s comments on Amitabh Bachchan are unwarranted. His irresponsible comments and continuing tirade against north Indians have only triggered violence in the peaceful State. As usual, anti-social elements have grabbed the opportunity at the cost of innocent and hapless people. The developments in Mumbai show how opportunistic politicians are. They exploit every opportunity to their personal advantage regardless of the damage they cause to society.

A.S. Farida,

Kancheepuram

Amitabh Bachchan might have acted in movies produced in Mumbai but people from all over India and abroad have paid to see him acting, enriching the producers and the actor. It is ridiculous on the part of the MNS to demand that the actor devote all his time and money to the welfare of Maharashtra.

S. Rajagopalan,

Chennai

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