Mumbai - everyone has an opinion
There are a lot of ongoing discussions and debates regarding a variety of topics related to Mumbai ranging from the closure of "dance bars" to the "rehabilitation of slum dwellers" and the "hawking menace". As Kushwant Singh once stated, "Opinions are like asses; everybody has one". Similarly, for these topics, everyone has some opinion or the other.
But, what is really puzzling is for people "unaware" of the total factual matter to comment on these topics. Most of the people offering comments or suggestions live outside Mumbai. For example, the "Supreme Court" passed some order related to hawkers in Mumbai; bar girls went to Sonia with their problems; Laloo Prasad Yadav (staying as far as in Bihar) offered comments related to Mumbai dance bars. Quite strange. The press, too, is filled with all such comments.
Wonder on what basis they form their comments. Note also that some of the Maharashtra government decisions could be made in Delhi (on behest of Sonia Gandhi). Most often than not, some influential guys can turn the decision to whatever they want.
The opinions of the Mumbaikar, on the other hand, hardly matter to Mumbai. Even as most Mumbaikars are kept busy in their race (to earn money), most of the average Mumbaikars will be forced to gulp down decisions they really are against.
Makes me wonder if there is a need to form an association (or union) of the "Rest Of Mumbai" (something similar to the "Rest Of India" cricket team). This union can then have the voice of the "real Mumbaikar".
But, what is really puzzling is for people "unaware" of the total factual matter to comment on these topics. Most of the people offering comments or suggestions live outside Mumbai. For example, the "Supreme Court" passed some order related to hawkers in Mumbai; bar girls went to Sonia with their problems; Laloo Prasad Yadav (staying as far as in Bihar) offered comments related to Mumbai dance bars. Quite strange. The press, too, is filled with all such comments.
Wonder on what basis they form their comments. Note also that some of the Maharashtra government decisions could be made in Delhi (on behest of Sonia Gandhi). Most often than not, some influential guys can turn the decision to whatever they want.
The opinions of the Mumbaikar, on the other hand, hardly matter to Mumbai. Even as most Mumbaikars are kept busy in their race (to earn money), most of the average Mumbaikars will be forced to gulp down decisions they really are against.
Makes me wonder if there is a need to form an association (or union) of the "Rest Of Mumbai" (something similar to the "Rest Of India" cricket team). This union can then have the voice of the "real Mumbaikar".
posted by Anon at 10:53 PM
3 Comments:
How would you identify "Real" Mumbaikar? Well Shiv-Sena started off with a similar goal in mind (Should I dare say most "Real" Mumbaikars are Marathi Speaking?") But somewhere lost the point in shifting to the national canvas by adopting "Hindutva" instead of "Marathi". The idea dont seem practicle to me.
Definition:
The "real Mumbaikar", as per me, is the person who loves Mumbai and gives back to the city more than what he takes from it.
In addition, he does not stay illegally and abides by the law.
The confusion of "Marathi speaking" comes from the fact that people want to not lose the Marathi-speaking vote bank. Due to heavy politics and cheating due to the "other" political parties, Shiv Sena soon realised that its policy of "Marathi speaking" would not work. This is because of the simple fact that perhaps the population of North Indians and other non-Marathi speaking people is now substantial enough (if not in the majority) to cause a change in the balance of votes. It, therefore, started adopting the "Hindutva" policy.
There is another reason for why at all "Hindutva" should be used in the first place: One must remember that over appeasing of non-Hindus has caused and is causing great discomfort for Hindus. So, the "Hindu" feels left off to fend for himself in a land that he can only call his own. (Remember, the "Muslims" have the Middle East and the "Christians" have the West).
There will be more on this in a later blog...so watch out.
I disagree!
According to your own definition the "real Mumbaikar" can be of any religion. Most of the Marathi speaking population in Mumbai treats Mumbai as its own land, own home. While that is certainly not true for most of the "outsiders" especially north Indians. All they do is snatch from Mumbai to send it off to their native place. No emotional involvment in the city at all. In my opinion, being "real" Mumbaikar and Hindutva are to totally separate issues. I cant see any relation in these issues. So according to me Shiv Sena's move to shift to "Hindutva" from "Marathi" was a great loss to the Mumbai city. Nobody was left to talk for the city. Everybody was/is busy milking this cow. But the city is now being stretched/stressed to the limits. All I can think of doing to help the city is to leave it along with my family so as to reduce the load. A very sad thought in my mind. :-(
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