Epaper
The recent terror attacks in Mumbai has shown clearly where the nation stands when it comes to crisis management, the deep roots of corruption, poor defense infrastructure and to top it all the resilience of the politicians and leaders who have become thick skinned under the cushions of power.
Top among the list of these leaders is the famous Raj Thackeray and brother Uddhav Thackeray. Raj seems to be the man in focus given his atrocious acts on non-marathis just a few months back. For a man who has been proclaiming his undying devotion towards Maharashtra and the upliftment of the Marathi ‘Manus’, one really wonders where this dynamic leader was when innocent civilians were reeling under the bullets of terrorists.
Of course, he cannot be blamed though since he has given a taste of what mayhem is like when his supporters went on a severe rampage burning properties in Mumbai while he was busy flaring his nostrils on non-locals and those people from the north who have been living in Mumbai for livelihood. So an act such as these would have elevated his sadistic pleasure of creating anarchy and see people dying in whatever way possible.
Ironically, it must be brought to the attention of these leaders that the lives that have been saved include Marathis and those lost in battling the terrorists included the non-Marathis and that too on the soil of Mumbai. Perhaps Raj could have taken the initiative to bring in his ardent followers and barged in through the areas of action and show his true leadership skills much before the NSG or any other ‘non-local’ unit came into action.
Okay, perhaps the Navnirman Sainiks were scared of the presence of the Fidayeen fighters but what happened after they died? The Thackerays have often stood as the tigers of Mumbai and were two steps ahead in their over-enthusiasm to show their displeasure for non-Hindus or now the non-Marathis. Maybe it was time for them to atleast remember the martyrs or give a helping hand to all those who are scarred by the horrors of the incidents that happened over the last few days.
Folks, it is about time we realize where the real problem lies, if the robbers have entered into our house then it is because our housekeeper was not discharging his duty properly. A plea still goes to the so called fighters of regional identity, there is something broader and essential called humanity, please live up to that first before chalking everything to your own greed.