Yes. There has been a Marathi and Maratha presence in Mumbai, and one cannot deny that at all. I'm sure you'll agree that Pune has always been the seat of Maratha power but that's a separate issue altogether.

Let's face it. Bombay, Calcutta and Madras have always been 'English' cities and they developed them to be 'metropolitan' cities for their own selfish and imperialistic goals. All these cities were small townships earlier and would have remained so if the selfishness of the colonial powers had not played a signficant role in altering their overall urban makeup.

There is more I can elaborate on this point, but that should be enough for now. The other Mumbai-like example I can give is Dubai. This is a city-state built by expatriates and thrives because of the entrepreneurial spirit. Imagine if one day the Dubai locals stand up and say, what have these outsiders given to us? Why are they stealing our jobs and livelihood?

Tushar, I agree with you there... the politicians are the main culprits behind this entire problem. Not just politicians from the north but even from Maharashtra and everywhere.

In the 60 odd years since independence, why do people from the hinterland have to come to main cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Madras for work? Why isnt there a co-ordinated effort to make people in the villages self sufficient? Why do farmers have to choose between suicide and living in slums?

India is shining, but it is glittering in the big cities... that's why Biharis and bhaiyas will come, and not just to Mumbai but to any city where they'll get work.

People are people everywhere. They work to make a living so they can feed their families. And if Mumbai encourages entrepreneurship, then, that's where they'll go... and if the Thackereys don't like this, then, perhaps, they need to question whether or not they want India to be a free market economy.

Adesh, if a northie spits paan on any Marathi Manus who asks him to go back, I will salute that northie.. no one has the right to tell a fellow Indian to leave an Indian city. It's criminal and unconstitutional.

Shalaka, we seem to be reading from the same music sheet... !!!!

I just agree what you've said here:

My point is this: in a free market economy, please do not expect to be given any extra privileges on account of your caste and mother tongue. Those who work hard, work smart and take advantage of opportunties are the ones who will be rewarded.

It's not the Biharis and UP-ites who are milking Mumbai dry; it's our BMC, police and politicians. Since being set up in 1960, Maharashtra has never had a non-Marathi chief minister. Our great Maratha leaders have steadily emptied the state's coffers. Isn't it the responsibility of the chief minister to ensure that the state is well-administered? Then how can you blame north Indian politicians for problems within Maharashtra? Please do explain this.

By the way, just to stir the pot a little... does anyone still agree that the linguistic division of states was a bad idea? :)

Regards
Ashish

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