Dear Raj,

The events in Mumbai over the past few days have left me astonished and ashamed.How is it possible that a community that has given so much to the Independance movement and to the process of nation building ,stay mum to the machination of a jingoist chauvinist?All this talk of identity seems so irrelevant..I mean ,to me the sucess of Maharashtra seems to be based on the fact that this state has consistently attracted the best from all over the country and these people have put in their heart and soul to create a vibrant and succeful state.

I feel that any society that blames the migrant is a society bereft of statesmen..this certainly holds true for the state of Maharahstra!!This theme has been a tool used by opportunists to inflame passions and achieve victory in the arena of power broking ,generally with horrendous consequences for the common man.

Remember post WW 1 Germany..a little man with a tooth bush moustace inflamed passions against the jews and other sub humans,and led to the destruction and division of his own country with immeasurable misery that affected the entire world.

What Raj Thackeray is attempting is very clear ,but ,what is contrary to all principles of governance,viz, upholding the rule of Law,,is the delay in his arrest and his almost gerry like release on bail for a paltry 15000/- rupees.This is a farce.No wonder kids dont want to stay in this country..a place where legal process or the rule of law is a street with no names.

I'm sure that the Maratha Manoos has certain geniune grievances,but is violent action on the most defenceless the only option.The sight of poor taxi drivers,chaat vendors and other economically deprived people being bashed up makes one feel like telling the authorities to go and get themselves castrated.

For the life of me ,I have never understood or even come close to understanding this typically revisionist attitude of my countrymen.Since my forefathers suffered so I shall repay in kind,avenge the insult and all that blah..come on..you wish to make a differance then gird your loins to work hard at grass root levels to make a differance to your community.

Choose an issue .education,employment ,responsive governance,medical cover,rehab of slum dwellers..the list is unending Mr Politician,but,these subjects are not the kind of vote magnets that you are looking for!! You want quick media hyped and TRP oriented schemes.The issues I was mentioning are meant for the really committed public servant..and you are definitely not one of them.

Your uncle tried this,your neighbour did a varaition ,but ultimately ,and this seems true of your neighbour,the success lay in the direction of sincere hard work,which is why he won again while your Uncle is at the fringe of affairs.

And dont be too happy because your Kannadiga neighbours are already planning to do the same to your country cousins..see there are too many techno geeks from Maharashtra..

The percentage that you see or feel is available is not the right choice..Why look for marathi votes only,by being inclusive you would get more votes.Do remember that the Marathi votes will always be split with your Uncles party,but,votes from other state citizens will be yours if you build up a sound and ever expanding vote bank.

You must be busy talking to your political advisers,so I'll end with a question..does a soldier from your state make the supreme sacrifice fighting for Maharashtra or for Bharat?
Regards
Quasimodo