Raj Thackeray, all set to establish Goondaraj in Maharashtra

Binita Tiwari

New Delhi

Thu, 10 Apr 2008: 

After trying all his might to deter north Indians Raj Thackeray still seems obstinate to establish his ‘Goondaraj’ in Maharashtra and this time his axe fall on private firms.

In his recent rhetoric he asked leading Mumbai industrialists including Tatas, Ambanis andirlas to reserve 80% jobs in factories and offices for Marathi Bhumiputras.

He said, “I want 80% of jobs in all factories and offices to be given to Marathi-speaking people. About 50 lakh Marathi youth have registered themselves with the regional employment exchange, but none is being recruited by industrialists in Maharashtra. I want an end to this. Why do we have this farce of an employment exchange?”

Reportedly the MNS workers have written to more than 40,000 industrial units in the state to follow the instruction or else an agitation would be launched against the industries.

The MNS Chief will address a large public rally on May 03 at Shivaji Park, where he will disclose his party’s agenda ahead of 2009 election.

Critics say Raj has backtracked the same path, which was once left by Bal Thackeray, who was the pioneer of carrying hostile response against outsiders. He campaigned against South Indians and Muslims along with the slogan ‘Maharashtra is for Maharashtrian’.

It is also said that Raj wanted to outdo Shiv Sena’s hold in the area specially after sensing its reduced performance in Mumbai municipal elections. He is very much aware that it is Shiv Sena’s stand against outsider and pro-Marathi that had given it power and vote of Marathi Manoos.

Earlier in February, Raj Thackeray intensified his campaign against migrant of UP and Bihar, tens of thousand of people fled the city after being threatened with dire consequences. His supporters also attacked students from Bihar who traveled to Mumbai for the railway recruitment exam few years back.

Many industrialists have condemned his illegal demand as a violation of fundamental rights, which will be damaging for the growth of industry and its competitiveness.

Raj has set a precedence of bad leadership and only time to come will decide his future. If the Marathi manoos for whom he has taken the onus; support him, no doubt that moment will write a different theory of democracy, in which many hopes will be bulldozed.

The nascent politician has set a wrong example and his gesture shows his hunger and blind love for power; by inflicting pain to innocent people who by and large have done a lot for Maharashtra.

But state’s incapability to take him seriously on his rhetoric has eventually made him more adamant. A child’s mischievousness grows if not handled at time. The set of rules he has made to achieve Marathi pride shows that at any cost he wants power.