Keep Mumbai cosmopolitan: Ansari

Expressing his concern over this “propensity” in political quarters to explain such behaviour, he said, “This basic constitutional framework of rights and obligations is today under stress. Political parties and groups, operating within the ambit of the Constitution, tend to obstruct the exercise of fundamental rights by citizens. Equally disconcerting is the propensity in various quarters to explain such behaviour, or explain it away.”

Pointing to the increasing urbanisation in modern India, the Vice-President wondered whether people had comprehended the implications of urban landscape, which would continue to attract people from across different geographical, linguistic and religious backgrounds.

“Today 30 per cent of our population lives in cities; it would be 50 per cent by 2050. Have the implications of this in social terms dawned on us? Cultural chauvinism and linguistic jingoism are inherently exclusionary. Would there be space for them in these urban conglomerates?” he asked, urging the people of Mumbai to take the lead in the emotional integration of India.

“Nehru had urged us ‘to keep in mind the emotional integration of India’. The time has come to act upon it with a sense of urgency,” said Ansari. “Would a lead in the matter be taken by Mumbai, India’s premier city? Mumbai represents the cosmopolitan spirit of India. Any other depiction of Mumbai would be to lessen it and deny its history and its ethos.”

Ansari’s comments assume significance in view of the fact that it is for the first time a top constitutional functionary has expressed views in public on the issue.