II

The editorial has rightly emphasised that enough is enough. The politics of hate triggered by Mr Raj Thackeray and fuelled by Mr Bal Thackeray shows that family feud of supremacy is playing havoc with the unity and integrity of the country. Instead of harping on our regional identities, why can’t we take pride in being Indians?

The espousal of the “Marathi Manoos” card seems to be boomeranging on Raj Thackeray and his party. The debacle suffered by his party in the recent state polls shows that there are few buyers of his line of thought. Otherwise also fissiparous tendencies tend to strike a deathblow to the unity of India.

Terming the so-called outsiders as the cause of their economic and social ills shows the mindset of the leaders who can stoop to any extent to achieve narrow gains. Hate begets hate.

Thackerays have besmirched Mumbai’s fair name. Every Indian is free to settle anywhere in India irrespective of his home state. Indians, who have gone abroad, have by their deeds made every Indian proud. Globalisation has made the entire world a small village where there should be no discrimination on the basis of caste, creed or place of origin. The virus of hatred has to be tackled with an iron hand so that it does not spread its tentacles any further.

AJAY K JINDAL, Ludhiana

III

The editorial has aptly reflected deep concern over the divisive and antagonistic politics of the Thackerays. It deserves to be countered by all right thinking people. The Thackerays cannot be allowed to spread the virus of hatred. The Maharashta government has done nothing substantial to keep a check on them.

In fact they are rendering irreparable damage by defying the spirit of the Constitution which guarantees every citizen the right to live and work anywhere in the country. By targeting Sachin Tendulkar, Shah Rukh Khan and Rahul Gandhi they have exhibited the bankruptcy of their political wisdom. It is time the government geared up to curb their nefarious designs and save the country from disintegration and chaos.

Capt SK DATTA, Abohar

IV

The Tribune deserves kudos for advising the government of Maharashtra to immediately bring the Thackerays to book. In fact, stern action should be taken against them and their followers, without further loss of time, for defying the Constitution and spreading the pernicious virus of communal hatred. Unless tackled promptly, the rising trend of similar divisive politics and regionalism in other parts of the country will eventually lead to all-round fissiparous tendencies and disintegration.

The principled and exemplary stand taken by some national icons and leaders such as Sachin Tendulkar, Shah Rukh Khan and Rahul Gandhi is worthy of emulation. It is strange that our political leaders stoop to the lowest level for gaining political mileage. Incidentally, it is for the national leaders and the media to seriously condemn and thwart such despicable, anti-national and unpardonable tendencies.

GOVIND SINGH KHIMTA, Chennai