Divisive unity

There are times when unity divides. And Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane’s call for unity among Maharashtra’s leaders in the face of increasing criticism of the state, because of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena-led violence against north Indians, is likely to produce one such occasion. MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s politics has done more than its bit to divide Maharashtra and India. But the Vilasrao Deshmukh government has been perceived to be disturbingly silent and “soft” with regard to the law and order problem unleashed by MNS hoodlums. Raj Thackeray’s ideology seems to have influenced Maharashtrian politicians across the board, minus the violence; if they are not openly sympathetic to the “jobs for local boys” argument, they have at least been confused by it. And a Union minister, Praful Patel, has gone to the extent of speaking up for “Marathi Manoos” and advocating “Maharashtrian ethos”.

What Rane and the others forget is that the whole country’s watching them, uncomfortably. So far, the most vocal criticism of the MNS and the state government’s approach has come from outside, admittedly the north. Rane needn’t pay heed to the competitive rhetoric and threats coming from leading northern parties, but he needs to introspect as to why it is coming in the first place. Rane’s call for “unity” among Maharashtrian politicians to counter the “politicisation of the issue” is bound to send the most dangerous of signals, and give the impression that the state’s politicians just do not want to address the real issue: the reining in of the MNS and its leader, and the protection of immigrants.

The Congress and NCP government has been playing with fire, and appears to lack the political will to settle what is, after all, a political issue. A determined effort to check the divisive intent of the MNS through words and actions, and allowing the law to take its course will not be an insignificant step towards healing the wounds. Not just immigrants in Maharashtra, but the locals too deserve that.