Stop this terrorristic activities of Shiv Sena
Balwant Dixit
Thackeray. We are sorry if Manoj Tiwari has been wrongly targetted," Senior
Sena leader Diwakar Raote told reporters here. These type of terrorristic
acts by Shiv Sena should be stopped. Shiv Sena is no different than
Talibans who attack innocent persons to take revenge. Balasaheb Thackeray
and his sainiks are acting like criminals .........BND
Sid Harth
Shiv Sainiks vandalise IBN Lokmat office
Press Trust Of India
Mumbai, November 20, 2009
First Published: 17:18 IST(20/11/2009)
Last Updated: 17:42 IST(20/11/2009)
Suspected Shiv Sena activists on Friday ransacked the office of a
Marathi news channel in suburban Mumbai, assaulting journalists and
damaging furniture.
The attackers barged into the IBN-Lokmat office in Vikhroli and
thrashed the staff members, Deputy Police Commissioner R M Vatkar told
PTI.
"The office of the news channel was ransacked by the attackers," he
added.
The news channel claimed the attackers were shouting slogans in
support of the party and its Chief Bal Thackeray.
Chief Minister Ashok Chavan promised strict action against those
involved in the attack. "Nobody will be spared. Such things will not
be tolerated," Chavan said.
...and I am Sid Harth
Sid Harth
Forget regionalism, unite as Hindus: Thackeray
Kiran Tare / DNA Friday, November 20, 2009 0:40 IST
Mumbai: Only a few days ago, he reprimanded Sachin Tendulkar for
saying, "Mumbai belongs to Indians." But on Thursday, the Shiv Sena
chief himself advocated nationalism. He appealed to the Hindus all
over India to set aside their regional differences and unite to combat
the "calamity of Islam."
Thackeray, who admits to being a "staunch Hindu", had once suggested
that a memorial of Mangal Pandey, the hero of the Sepoy Mutiny of
1857, be erected at the disputed area in Ayodhya. However, on Thursday
he said that Sena would complete building the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
He claimed credit for the makeshift Ram temple that is there now in an
editorial in party mouthpiece Saamna. "Ayodhya today has a Ram temple
just because of the Shiv Sena. The Sena will fulfil its promise of
completing the temple by building its dome," he stated.
"Everyone knows who removed the Babri Masjid, which was a blot on
Ayodhya. The Kothari brothers, who demolished the domes of masjid and
hosted a saffron flag there, were Shiv Sainiks. I am proud of them."
Thackeray came down heavily on Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi for his
"desire to rebuild the Babri Masjid". He said, "The Sena still has the
guts to shatter his dreams of rebuilding Babri. The country is being
crushed by a Muslim python... In this country, there are Marathis,
Bengalis, Gujaratis, Kannadigas, Assamese and Hindis. But are there
Hindus? Instead of unifying, they have decided to spill the blood of
their Hindu brothers in the name of regionalism.
"We must stand together as Hindus to fight this Islamic attack.
Otherwise, our future generations will be seen offering namaaz instead
of celebrating Dussehra and Diwali. Radical Muslims are the biggest
threat to our country. Except for a few, such as Salim Khan, Javed
Akhtar, Mukhtar Abbas and Farooq Abdullah, the rest of them are trying
to destroy our country. We will have to fight them. We can win the
battle only if we unite as Hindus."
Sena's ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party, refused to give it full
credit for the makeshift Ram temple. BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari,
who was jailed twice during the temple movement, said, "Like me, lakhs
of kar sevaks had spontaneously gathered at Ayodhya from all over the
country. They did not have any relation with the Shiv Sena. I will not
deny that there were some Shiv Sainiks too. But no one can claim the
sole credit for building the makeshift temple."
Sid Harth
BJP condemns Shiv Sena violence at TV channel offices
November 20th, 2009 - 11:21 pm ICT by IANS -
New Delhi, Nov 20 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has
strongly condemned Friday’s attack by Shiv Sena activists on the
offices of IBN-Lokmat network channel in Mumbai and Pune.
BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told IANS that the incident was
“unfortunate and strongly condemnable”.
Without naming the Shiv Sena, Naqvi said that law is equal for all
citizens of the country and action should be taken against those
responsible for the incident.
IBN-Lokmat TV channel journalists and other employees were beaten up
and the channel’s office property was vandalised by Shiv Sainiks to
protest the alleged misquoting by the channel of party chief Bal
Thackeray’s remarks on cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.
The attack has drawn condemnation from all quarters.
Sid Harth
Shiv Sainiks attack TV channel offices in Mumbai, Pune; 4 staffers
injured (Second Lead)
November 20th, 2009 - 10:38 pm ICT by IANS -
Mumbai, Nov 20 (IANS) Shiv Sena activists Friday vandalised the
offices of the IBN-Lokmat television channel in north-east Mumbai and
in Pune and assaulted journalists, to protest the alleged misquoting
of party chief Bal Thackeray’s remarks on cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.
The attack has drawn condemnation from all quarters. Maharashtra Chief
Minister Ashok Chavan assured strong action against attackers.
Armed with sticks and bats, a mob of 25 attacked the IBN-Lokmat office
in Vikhroli here, damaging the furniture and fittings, glass
partitions, OB vans and electronic equipment.
According to a channel staffer, the Sena activists barged into the
channel office around 4 p.m., shouting slogans in favour of the Shiv
Sena and Bal Thackeray.
Besides editor Nikhil Wagle, who was slapped, pushed around and had a
chair flung at him, three other staffers sustained injuries in the
Shiv Sena activists’ attack.
A shaken Wagle said that some of the activists launched a brutal
attack on the journalists and other staffers in the office, they
caused extensive damage to the office, furniture and fittings there.
“The attack was preplanned, they had come armed with sticks and iron
rods for creating the mayhem in our offices. They hurled a chair at
me,” Wagle told media persons.
The Shiv Sena owned up responsibility for the attack later Friday
evening, while the vandalism drew condemnation from other political
parties.
“The government shall not go soft on the Shiv Sena and the media
should boycott the Shiv Sena,” a grim Ashok Chavan told media persons
Friday evening. The city police nabbed seven and Pune police arrested
eight Shiv Sainiks for the attacks.
Home Minister R.R. Patil also condemned the attacks and assured
newsmen that stern action would be taken against those involved.
Shiv Sena spokesman Sanjay Raut accused the channel of misquoting
Thackeray’s observations on cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar in a
signed article in the Sena mouthpiece “Saamana” last week.
“This is not an attack on the entire media. The (IBN-Lokmat) channel
has been constantly misreporting about Bal Thackeray and targeting the
Shiv Sena. We shall not tolerate any criticism of our party chief,”
Raut, a Sena Rajya Sabha MP, said.
“They also manhandled a few staffers, including women, and editor
Nikhil Wagle and others,” said Vijay Darda, chairman of the Lokmat
group of newspapers that part-owns the channel.
Terming it as “an attack on the freedom of speech and media”, Darda
said he did not expect this from Sena executive president Uddhav
Thackeray.
“I have always considered him as a refined, cultured and family person
and what has happened has pained us,” Darda told IANS.
He said the channel had been running several reports on the debacle of
the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance in last month’s
elections to the Mahastrata state assembly.
“They have vented their frustration at the defeat on the journalists
and the TV channel, which is highly condemnable,” said Darda, a
Congress member in the Rajya Sabha.
Darda, whose younger brother Rajendra is a Congress cabinet minister
in Maharasthra, said it is “disturbing that the Sainiks have become so
bold as to launch attacks on the media without any fear”.
South Mumbai Lok Sabha member Milind Deora, condemning the attacks,
said the police must probe the top Sena leaders who had planned or
instigated the attacks on the media house in Mumbai and Pune.
D.K. Raikar, group editor of Lokmat Group of Newspapers, said the
immediate provocation behind the attacks was not clear.
He said that some of the activists who went on rampage were nabbed by
some of the channel staffers and handed over to the police.
“They have broken the furniture and fittings, broken glass panels and
partitions, several television sets, computers, communication lines,
OB vans, uprooted carpets, etc.,” Raikar told IANS after surveying the
damages wreaked by the Sena men Friday evening.
A similar attack was carried out simultaneously at the Pune office of
the channel, and there too staffers were attacked. The Pune police
have arrested at least eight people in this connection.
CNN-IBN chief Rajdeep Sardesai termed the attacks as “a shame” and
condemned the Sena for the attaks.
In Lucknow, the Samajwadi Party also condemned the attack, terming the
attackers as anti-social elements.
“Be it the Shiv Sena or the Maharashtra Navnirmaan Sena (MNS), all are
anti-social elements. They are spreading a feeling of regional
difference amongst the states of the country. We appeal to the
Election Commission to cancel the registration of such parties which
do not follow the Indian constitution,” Rajendra Chaudhary,
spokesperson of the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, told IANS.
Sid Harth
Mumbaikars want Shiv Sena to put its house in order
October 24th, 2009 - 9:31 pm ICT by ANI -
By Susheel Parekh
Mumbai, Oct.24 (ANI): As Shiv Sena held people of Mumbai responsible
for the political debacle it faced in the recently held Maharashtra
State Assembly elections, the local public has in fact returned the
blame on the party for having failed to keep its house in order.
In an editorial of the Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece ‘Samna’, Thackeray
blamed Mumbaikars for the defeat of saffron alliance of the Shiv Sena
and the Bharatiya Janata party in the just concluded State Assembly
elections.
The editor and Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray questioned the
achievements of the Congress-Nationalist Congress party alliance. He
blamed the people of Maharashtra for “pushing the State back into
hell” by re-electing the alliance.
Mumbaikars or the people of Mumbai have attributed the reasons of
debacle to the internal feud and rivalry between Shiv Sena and its
break away group Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a party launched by
Bal Thackeray’s firebrand nephew Raj Thackeray.
“Today’s editorial on ‘Samna’… About 60 per cent Marathis (residents
of Mumbai) in Mumbai voted for MNS (Maharashtra Navnirman Sena). Rest
voted for Shiv Sena. Because of this, most of the MNS candidates came
from Mumbai. Today Samna has commented on Marathi people. I would say
Marathi Manoos (people) are divided because of two warring brothers,”
said Kishor Patil, a resident of Mumbai.
Dinesh Moiley, another resident of Mumbai, said Congress-NCP alliance
benefited from the Shiv Sena and MNS rivalry.
“It should not have happened in this election. It was wrong. This
personal rivalry benefited the third party, which should not have
happened. Marathi people haven’t lost their unity. But we had lot of
hopes from Shiv Sena which is there for 45 years,” said Dinesh Moiley,
a resident of Mumbai.
There are some who are confident that the Shiv Sena will spring back
to life like the phoenix bird.
“Nobody can wipe out Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena is like a phoenix bird. We
request Raj Thackeray that wherever your party is strong you field
your candidate but do not do so just because you want to take on Shiv
Sena. You (MNS) should also rise, but Shiv Sena will be there even
though it has suffered a set back this time. But it will rise again
like the phoenix bird,” Manoj Ranade, a resident of Mumbai.
Thackeray also accused the Congress of using the ‘divide and rule’
policy to split Marathi voters to come to power.
The Shiv Sena fought the Assembly elections in alliance with the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). But it miserably failed to come into
power, as it could secure only 90 seats in the 288-member State
Assembly. The Shiv Sena won 44 seats and the Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) 46 seats.
Whereas, the Shiv Sena’s breakaway group Raj Thackeray-led MNS
received 13. The winner was the Congress-NCP combine which secured a
total of 144 seats. (ANI)
Sid Harth
Uddhav defends Bal Thackeray’s comments on Mumbaikars over poll defeat
October 26th, 2009 - 11:22 pm ICT by ANI -
Mumbai, Oct.26 (ANI): Shiv Sena’s Executive President Uddhav
Thackeray on Monday defended party chief Bal Thackeray’s recent
remarks in an in-house editorial in which he blamed local residents
for his party’s defeat in the recently held State Assembly polls in
Maharashtra.
Writing in an editorial in Shiva Sena’s mouthpiece ‘Samna’ , Bal
Thackeray blamed Mumbaikars (residents of Mumbai) for the defeat of
the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata party alliance in assembly
elections.
“Well, I did not visit various regions of Maharashtra for election
purposes only. I have been going around since long and met the
villagers, the farmers, and the tribals. I even undertook crusades
against price hike and all these were not solely for elections. As for
Balasaheb’s editorial , it is a reminder for the Marathi people as to
how hundreds of sacrifices took place. Since he (Bal Thackeray) is
concerned about Marathis, he has vent his anger. The current issue is
that we are not after power but whenever there is injustice, we will
rise to the occasion,” Uddhav Thackeray said here.
Congress-Nationalist Congress Party alliance, led by Congress Party
won 144 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra state assembly.
The Shiv Sena fought the Assembly elections in an alliance with the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). But it miserably failed, as it could
secure only 90 seats. The Shiv Sena could win only 44 seats and the
BJP 46 seats. (ANI)
Sid Harth
Scribes protest attack on TV channel's office
IANS 21 November 2009, 04:14pm IST
MUMBAI: A large number of mediapersons on Saturday congregated to
protest attacks by Shiv Sena activists on the IBN-Lokmat television
channel office in Mumbai and IBN-7's office in Pune a day earlier.
Several hundred journalists and non-journalist staff of different
media organisations converged at south Mumbai's Hutatma Chowk - a
popular place for demonstrations - to peacefully express solidarity
with the staff of the TV channels.
A delegation of mediapersons, which included top functionaries of the
two channels, met chief minister Ashok Chavan and lodged their protest
over the Sena's attack on the media and freedom of press.
Maharashtra Governor S C Jamir Saturday strongly condemned the attacks
on the media houses and on its editor Nikhil Wagle.
In a strongly worded statement, Jamir directed the state government to
initiate "exemplary steps to stop such attacks on the media and
mediapersons in future."
Terming the attacks as shameful and shocking, the governor said this
was the third major attack on the Mumbai media in the past 18 moths
and such incidents did great harm to the image of the state and its
people.
"What is alarming is the overt and covert political patronage these
incidents of vandalism receive from political parties and individual,"
the governor noted in an oblique reference to the Shiv Sena owning up
and justifying the attacks.
"While it is necessary to punish the perpetrators of violence, it is
equally imperative to punish and expose those who incite and justify
such uncivilized actions. The media also needs to observe due
restraint and remain objective while presenting news and opinions,"
Jamir urged.
The Shiv Sena activists had barged into the offices, damaged property
and editorial staff after their chief Bal Thackeray was criticised on
the channels.
bademiyansubhanallah
The Tiger Bites A Lion
Bachi Karkaria Wednesday November 18, 2009
Bichare Balasaheb. How it is his fault? What he can he do if the name
of the state is Maharashtra. Means, it is the maha- rashtra, no?
Means, it has to be greater than the rashtra, no. Then why all the
people are khali-pili bom marta over his attack on Tendulkar?
If you are called Maharashtra year in and year out, then the delusion
of grandeur must get embedded in your DNA as surely as e coli in
Mumbai's drinking water. It means you are above not just all other
states, but above the Indian state itself. So naturally, Thackeray
senior got his saffron silk dhoti in a twist over Sachin-baba's skewed
notion of nationalism.
In his version of Tebbit's 'cricket loyalty test', Tendulkar put
being Indian over being Maharashtrian, which the Supremo considers
nothing short of high treason. So, he was perfectly entitled to
launch a maha yuddh over it. Maharashtra must score over Mahabharat,
no? What else could Krishna have done than give an 'affectionate
warning' to the one-time Arjuna awardee?
Nakkich, Balasaheb is right. Of course, all cricketing glory is only
about our Maharashtra. So where does India even enter the picture?
Wadekar, Gavaskar, Vengsarkar, Tendulkar - the game is entirely our
'kar'mabhoomi.
Rubbing lasan chatni into the chauvinistic wound, Sachin also
foolishly stated that 'Mumbai belongs to the whole country'. So, he
ekdum and fully-ch deserved the threat that Thackeray bowled at him in
Saamna. Thank Chhatrapati Maharaj, that the misguided fellow at least
had the sense not to say 'Bombay'. Then his batata vada days would
surely be numbered.
Nakkich, Balasaheb is right. Of course, Tendulkar must keep off the
political pitch. But politicians must not keep off the cricket
pitch. They must keep digging it up like the Shiv Sena men did at
Ferozesha Kotla during the 1999 India- Pakistan test series and again
in Agra in 2003, just before the Veterans Match with you-know-who.
Nakkich, Balasaheb is right. Of course, he had to warn Tendulkar 'not
to lose on the political pitch what he has earned on the cricket
pitch'. Who says Thackeray senior is already in danger of losing on
this cricket pitch what he had earned on the political pitch? Or
whatever is left of his legacy after his son has turned it into a
gilli-danda game, and his nephew has run away with the danda.
At one time, Indian cricket too had its Tiger, but Pataudi's pampered
cub is not interested in being out for a duck; he prefers to go out
with a Size Zero instead. No such self-indulgence for the heirs to the
Sena lair.They must valiantly continue the mission of hacking down the
rich biodiversity of the Mumbai forest and turn it into a monoculture
which saps the soil and the sons thereof.
Well, like mortals, tigers too must age. Often they turn into man-
eaters since they are too weak to take on prey worthy of their earlier
prowess. But this time, our Tiger hasn't attacked a man, but a
lionized boy. So wagh-saheb has bitten off more than he can now chew.
It hasn't helped that he's still licking his wounds from the last
election, where he was thrown to the wolves.
The latest attack is considered a slip even in the gulleys where the
Supremo is still venerated. The Marathi manoos proudly consider Sachin
to be one of their own, and the boy from Shivaji Park has always
returned the compliment with grace and modesty. He is a steeped-in-the-
varan local. So, sorry Balasaheb, to borrow from another game, this
time you have scored an 'own goal'. Why, if aapla Tendlya was the type
to swear oaths , you could safely bet that he'd do so in Marathi.
Alec Smart said: "With all that flak, should they change her name to
Enid Blighton?"
Comments(23)
Rated 4.1/5 (97 Votes)12345Related Blog Posts
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Comments:
Agree (14)
Disagree (31)
Raj says:
November 18, 2009 at 08:53 PM IST
The congress(as per the plan of Ahmed Patel) has successully been able
to nail and ridicule Shiv Sena via Sachin this time-something they
could not do for long time.
Mark my words-the next in line for this is the BJP.Efforts would now
be made so that the same is ridculed and condemned(ofcourse at the
right time).
Agree (57)
Disagree (8)
Subhrajit Gupta says:
November 18, 2009 at 09:26 PM IST
Good writing Ms. Kakaria. Any person who loves his country,
irrespective of the part he belongs to, would speak like Sachin.
People earn wisdom with age, but its the reverse with Mr. Thackeray,
he is going insane. Such people are detrimental to the growth of our
nation. Surprisingly, Raj Thackery is quiet this time! When will we as
a nation think of ourselves as an Indian first and then the rest? We
have such a brilliant mix of cultures, faith, and it saddens me to see
people destroy it! Sachin has done enough already and Mr. Thackeray
seems to forget what Sachin has done for 'INDIA' being a proud 'INDIAN
and MAHARASHTRIAN'. I am a Bengali, a proud one, but i am an Indian
first, then a Bengali, and then a Hindu! Let us all work together to
fight anti-national elements and support Sachin for speaking plain and
simple.
Agree (27)
Disagree (17)
hortense vaughan says:
November 18, 2009 at 10:11 PM IST
There is nothing wrong with the name Bombay and changing it to Mumbai
only points to the inferiority complex of the Hindus. There will never
be a Mumbai duck curry nor will the famous wartime song "Bless
them all" start with"there's a troopship just leaving
Mumbai'. BOMBAY for ever
Agree (20)
Disagree (22)
s c vaid says:
November 18, 2009 at 11:11 PM IST
Sab ko summati de bhagwan.
Frank talk.
Bala Saheb is also proud Maharashtrian. But he is yet to declare that
he is very very proud Indian. The moment he does this, the discussion
will be over. Expect this step soon.
Agree (22)
Disagree (12)
Pavan says:
November 18, 2009 at 11:14 PM IST
ha ha ha ....Bachi! Nice jokes ...Just fours and sixes raining from
your bat! LOL!!! By the way ...because you are not marathi ...the
jokes could be interpreted as mean...even if you dont mean.
Agree (23)
Disagree (7)
Prem Nizar Hameed says:
November 19, 2009 at 01:30 AM IST
We should not nurture regionalism. Otherwise it will devour our great
concept of Unity in Diversity. Balasaheb must learn the lesson given
by this proud Marathi manoos in order to stay in the crease of
democracy. And the rule is that: unnecessary lbw screams are neither
converted into dismissal nor referred to the third umpires. Bachi ji,
now the tiger may say soon that it forgot to fix the dentures while
biting the lion.
Agree (29)
Disagree (2)
Sharad says:
November 19, 2009 at 01:53 AM IST
The prime minister of Canada had the heart to publicly accept that
immigrants have made Canada rich. Take a simple example, land value of
mumbai is sky high, why is the land value of a city in North east not
high, its because no one wants to migrate there. Migrants sacrifice
the rich cultural life (by choice or forced circumstances) and work
day and night to the new place they have migrated to. They only make
the new place they have moved to richer.
Thackerays are not being anything less than what Hitler was to Jews.
They wont do any good to either cause of marathis or the Indian
nation.
Its fine to demand respect for local culture, jobs for locals etc, no
one is opposed to that, but there is no place for using violent means
to thrust your decisions on the public. You need to get a mandate from
the public and then can legalise your thoughts and enforce it.
Agree (64)
Disagree (6)
Pranav Gadre says:
November 19, 2009 at 03:03 AM IST
I too am a proud Maharashtrian but I am an Indian first. I think
Tendlya should be given a perfect 10 for his answer, I fully support
him. Mr. Thackeray (Sr. and Jr.1 and Jr.2) don't give a damn about
Marathi Manoos. What they really care is power and money (which comes
with power). Tomorrow if a situation comes when they are given an
option of CM seat or service to Marathi Manoos, I am sure they will be
the first to step on Marathi Manoos to seat on CM seat.
The outcome of the current assembly elections speak for the Marathi
Manoos. He doesn't need anyone to sympathize with him or take care of
him. He can take care of himself and prove his mettle. There are so
many Marathi people who have got recognition across the world and made
India proud.
Thackerays are more noise and no action. They mistook action for
action in bollywood films (Dhishum Dhishum) and not for action through
their work. I don't know any work they have done for improvement of
Marathi Manoos. What they have done is beating up some UPites and
Biharis. I compare their actions to that of a small child (immature)
who will try to snatch at thing (may or may not belong to him) that he
wants rather then asking for it. I hope more and more proud
Maharashtrians understand this. The earlier the better.
Note: I was a staunch supporter of Shiv Sena in my school and early
college days. I have even roamed streets with our local
"Karyakartas" during elections. But then I started
understanding things and became more mature and started understanding
the difference between right and wrong.
Agree (0)
Disagree (1)
Sameer Rao says:
November 19, 2009 at 09:46 AM IST
Hmm..nice article. What I wonder is whether the "national
language speaking" ppl from Laluland...continue their behaviour
in Punjab? OR do the start growing beard/attaching "Singh"
to their name and learn "Punjabi". If they do that there
then its " Be a Roman in Rome" but in Bambi..."Hindi
rashtra bhasha hai". The Brits did it ..now the northern belt is
doing again - forcing a language and killing local language. Its
rightly said " To kill a culture, just kill its language".
Agree (2)
Disagree (0)
Khushboo says:
November 19, 2009 at 09:52 AM IST
Great article....!!! I hope Mr. Thackrey and family read this and
atleast learn something from it.
Agree (3)
Disagree (0)
Nasir Khan says:
November 19, 2009 at 09:57 AM IST
Very well written this article. It is true that whatever Bal Thackeray
earn during all these years in the game of divide and rule or spread
and rule is ending his carrier. I like to read this "Or whatever
is left of his legacy after his son has turned it into a gilli-danda
game, and his nephew has run away with the danda".
Agree (3)
Disagree (0)
Shraddha Sankhe says:
November 19, 2009 at 10:30 AM IST
Ms. Karkaria, we love you. You have perfectly described what our
hearts felt when we saw all those News channels overfeeding us with
such apathetic state of BabyBoss(translated as Balasaheb)'s sad
attempt at 'doing' something about the poor old Marathi Manoos! We
just hope Raj Thackeray takes a cue and keeps 'mum'(Uddhav will say,
"Mere pass bapu hai"! I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Toes
too...
Agree (1)
Disagree (0)
Sunil Nagar says:
November 19, 2009 at 10:33 AM IST
Very apt choice of words and it surely made a funny reading without
sacrifing the underlying theme.
Agree (1)
Disagree (0)
Karan Kumar says:
November 19, 2009 at 11:54 AM IST
Ms.Karkaria, I'm an ardent fan of your writing. The sarcasm floors me
on most occasions. Though I must point out that the sly dig at the ex-
Tiger's over-privileged, under-talented, and uninmportant kin is
surely unnecessary. It would be best if these inconsequential figures
are left in their own abysmally shallow (more moronic than oxy) world.
I think I'll take Sena-bashing any day of the week. With a little salt
of course.
Agree (0)
Disagree (0)
Joy says:
November 19, 2009 at 12:17 PM IST
Nice to read the comments but the very fact that they have the support
and a growing support for JR2 (nice one Pranav) says that there are a
lot of people who subscribe to the maha-is-greater-than-rashtra
philosophy. This episode to me is a comic relief to a very sad story.
Agree (1)
Disagree (0)
Kabir says:
November 19, 2009 at 12:35 PM IST
Great article Bachi! Keep it up.
These Thackerays are trying to dupe the Marathi Manoos. They will
continue like that until it serve their purpose. If the Marathis
become aware that they are being duped by these Thackerays, then they
will not support them. Then these Thackerays will stop shouting. Lets
hope they become aware early and we become a united India.
Agree (1)
Disagree (0)
UMESH PEDNEKAR says:
November 19, 2009 at 02:56 PM IST
Wow Bachi...brilliant article !!! Aapne to 'Bachi'-kuchi izzat ki bhi
waat laga di.. and I haven't seen such an amazing disection of the
word 'Maha-rashtra'... !!! Very subtly you have made your
point...ummm..it's like scoring a goal on a penalty stroke (well,
considering our hockey team even misses that, you have achieved the
impossible!!).
Agree (5)
Disagree (0)
Siddique A. Khan says:
November 19, 2009 at 03:13 PM IST
The Shiva Sena chief and his ruthless hordes who know only to kill,
maim and destroy the undefended and helpless can not be compared with
that majestic animal tiger. At best they could pass off as donkeys in
tigers skin.
Agree (0)
Disagree (5)
gaurav says:
November 19, 2009 at 05:15 PM IST
mam you should take a relook at article that was published in saamna .
the article that came forward was misinterpreted by national media for
their own sake .regional politics should never be judged through the
eyes of national media .words lose their meanings when translated.
Agree (1)
Disagree (0)
Sajid says:
November 19, 2009 at 06:54 PM IST
Bal Thackeray never was and is definitely not a tiger anymore. Please
leave that old man alone, he doesn't know what he is saying.
Agree (2)
Disagree (0)
nites...@gmail.com says:
November 19, 2009 at 08:15 PM IST
Bal Thackrey's political pitch is dug and a coffin has been buried. So
Mr. Bal Thackrey wants to come on the cricket pitch with the help of
Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin...Plz help Mr. Thackrey with bat. And I ask
Indian public support for the old batsman to not clean bowl him on his
first delivery. Plz give him 1 ball to play so that he can stay on the
cricket pitch after the debacle of Maharashtra assembly election.
Agree (2)
Disagree (0)
Chinmay Joglekar says:
November 19, 2009 at 09:58 PM IST
I too agree that being an Indian comes first rather than supporting
parochial interests. Whenever there is a conflict of interests between
a region and a country the country should win.
Also everybody including political leaders should appreciate the
multicultural and cosmopolitan face of Mumbai or Bombay whatever you
call it. After all diversity lies in the roots of Indian culture which
should not be forgotten
Agree (0)
Disagree (5)
Sundeep Dange says:
November 19, 2009 at 10:54 PM IST
Bachi i think you have misinterpreted the notion of
"Maharashtra" completely....your so called notion of
"rich biodiversity of the Mumbai forest" has only been
possible cause of the "Marathi Manoos" ..if we wouldn't have
been the way we are ...then Mumbai would have been a lot different. So
have some respect next time you write about "Maha-Rashtra".
bademiyansubhanallah
Sach(in) Ka Saamna
Ravi Rao Tuesday November 17, 2009
I will admit that we in the media have a big role in stoking the
present Sachin-Bal Thackeray non-controversy. There was Sachin batting
away to glory and dreaming of bombil, Ferrari and his 50th ODI century
(in no particular order) when some bored journo asked him about the
sons-of-the-soil issue that's raking up so much heat and dust in
aamchi Mumbai.
Sachin being Sachin, replied with a straight bat, saying that while he
was proud to be a Maharashtrian, he was an Indian first and that
Mumbai belonged to all of India. A perfectly reasonable answer; after
all you can't expect any person who loves and respects his language,
culture, ethnic background and his country to give a different answer.
The storm in the tea cup began when the media played up this remark,
waving as it were, a red rag to linguistic chauvinists in tiger's
clothing. It then lay back waiting for the inevitable arrows and
slingshots to fly.
To put the matter in perspective, it takes a lot to feed this monster
of a news industry 24/7/365. No news is trivial enough to be blown up,
no micro blog too small to come under the scanner. Thus, it was almost
with a sense of déjà vu that readers were greeted with screaming
headlines on TV and in print about how ailing Shiv Sena chief Bal
Thackeray had roared again, calling Sachin a betrayer of the Marathi
cause and warning him to stay off the pitch that could hurt the
Marathi psyche. What's more, Thackeray's comments appeared in his
party's mouthpiece Saamna, which is read by a few thousands, and would
probably have gone largely unnoticed---for even the most rabid radical
would think twice before raising his voice (forget raising a finger)
against such a non-complicated, non-assuming, peaceable demigod as
Sachin.
The ensuing hue and cry, basically the reactions to whether Thackeray
can criticise a true-blue Marathi and national hero, is beside the
point. A healthy debate is always welcome in a civil society. What is
sad is the media's role in fomenting, sometimes deliberately, a war of
words, a rise in passions, a call for hard rigid stands, all in the
name of journalist activism.
The days are long gone when the media, especially the daily
newspapers, were considered a pillar of society, something you looked
up to as a leader of opinion, a shaper of trends and a voice of logic
and reason. Today, it has devolved into a commercial unit, as aware of
market realities, of competitive cuts-and-thrusts as it is of the
potentially explosive sound bites bubbling under the surface of the
placid waters around us.
Yes, dispassionately seen, in the present controversy, the score board
reads:
SACHIN CAUGHT MEDIA BOWLED THACKERAY. No marks for guessing who has
failed to score in the 'rigged' match between the Master Blaster and
the Sena Supremo. It is the media.
Comments(57)
Rated 4.3/5 (141 Votes)12345Related Blog Posts
Agree (53)
Disagree (150)
Ashok Gupta says:
November 17, 2009 at 01:07 PM IST
Sachin Is above all these petty politics of Bala Sahib. He is simply
great as a Cricketer/ as a humam being/ as a great Maharahtrian and a
Great Patriot.
He Plays Cricket and not the dirty game of politics.
In my opinion, even Bala Sahib is a great Nationalist. He has worked /
and served the interest of the country/ the interest of Maharashtra
and above all in the intertest of overall Hindus in India.
It's journalist tricks that is creating issues out of non issues.
regards.
Agree (51)
Disagree (6)
sambit says:
November 17, 2009 at 01:44 PM IST
We should not give much attention to this.We all Love Sachin as a
cricketer ,as a good human being and not because he is a Marathi.When
a match is on we cheer India not Mumbai not UP,MP not Delhi ...Even
states from where no single player is playing they also watch matches
on TV and cheer the Team .People should understand this.We are in a
democracy and each and every individual has right to say anything
which is not violating any law .If Bala Saheb can say anything then
why not Sachin.JUST THINK If Sachin Leaves Mumbai he wont loose
anything but the state will loose a Great Man like HIM .
Agree (31)
Disagree (5)
S C Vaid says:
November 17, 2009 at 01:58 PM IST
Journalist activism helps to obtain many clarifications to make the
stance crystal clear. Otherwise one has to read between the lines and
keep guessing.
Sachin doesn't require any certificate of patriotism from any one. He
is devoted citizen of India, pacca desh bhagat.
Agree (26)
Disagree (3)
varsha says:
November 17, 2009 at 02:07 PM IST
I think the sentiments of Thakray as well as media following Sachin's
remarks were more than expected. You have rightly said that it needs
something to keep the 24 Hr news channels going, they just can't
afford to make this an issue for news and debates.
But I think it is absolutely unnecessary to pay so much attention to
the Thakrey clan, the more you do it the more they show it. Meida and
public attention is their sole purpose, and they succeed everytime. I
think now even the Marathis will realise it after their own (and our
own)Sachin has said that.
Agree (12)
Disagree (9)
sumit says:
November 17, 2009 at 02:22 PM IST
Sachin is the purest of all gems and his comment on this was a 'look-
alike'.Please keep him away from people who have blanketed their mind
and can't think beyond.Bala Sahib has been a great nationalist but now
he needs to re-think his theories.Rather we all need to grow up a bit,
be it 'journalists' or 'politicians'.
Agree (15)
Disagree (3)
Soma Ahir says:
November 17, 2009 at 02:27 PM IST
I believe that the role of media is now changing.But we can't always
say that certain issues are blown out of proportion.Like in this
case,Sachin is regarded as a demi god in Cricket and is a youth icon
and is loved by every indian irrespective of
caste,color,creed,religion and of course breaking the state
barriers.It is as simple as Sachin is for all Indians, whats wrong if
he said Mumbai is for all Indians? Yes, this issue is blown a bit more
and caught fire and the media acted as a catalyst.And since it is a
straight hit on the nation's most loved son,protests came from every
corners.But somehow down the line I felt that such an issue was needed
to stop mouth of certain leaders who encourage regionalism.Such leader
should read our preamble of constitution before creeping ino
controvertial remarks.Loving one's state is very essential and one
should be proud of that, but being Indian and standing united as
Indian is the basic norms of every Indian citizen.And in this case,
though this issue was given a more hype, but it was required as we
need to understand that we are Indian first.
So,I totally can't agree with this fact that this is a very minute
issue.We have our freedom of speech and what Sachin said didn't harmed
our national interest.But what some mindleass political leaders
reacted is simply uncalled for.If we can say,Kashmir is for every
Indian,it is an integrated part of India,why can't Mumbai???
Agree (15)
Disagree (7)
Amit Deshpande says:
November 17, 2009 at 02:30 PM IST
Media quality has gone for a toss. They rake up controversies through
non-issues.
If making money is the reason why journalists are here, then better
start hawking chaats or sell balloons at the traffic signal.
If a nation is losing its focus and media is unable to direct the
focus on the important issues then it is the failure of the media.
Agree (16)
Disagree (4)
Satbir Singh Bedi says:
November 17, 2009 at 02:48 PM IST
What media has done is totally correct. Sachin has united the nation
against the forces of regionalism. There is nothing wrong in
highlighting this fact. Moreover, who is Bal Thackeray to advise
Sachin not to enter politics. Every Indian except Govt. servants have
a right to enter politics and give political comments. Govt. servants
are of course barred from entering politics because of their conduct
rules. So, Sachin has every right to enter politics. If he choses to
fight the elections from my constituency, I will surely vote for him.
He is a very clean and honest man to the best of my knowledge.
Agree (26)
Disagree (3)
khursheed says:
November 17, 2009 at 02:50 PM IST
Sachin is living legend now, has proved his excellence as cricketeer
and good human being.
Bal Thackray's profile does not match with Sachin,
his comment to sachin does not have any acceptance, it is media who is
giving so much importance to Bal Thackeray otherwise he is rejected by
his own maharashtrians. Saamna articles are read by couple of shiv
sainiks but its reprinting in national media gives more coverage, I
will suggest to ignore his articles and comments. Bal Thackeray is
person of closed
well, he does not have any say outside Mumbai.
Agree (14)
Disagree (7)
Rajeev,Ujjain,MP says:
November 17, 2009 at 02:57 PM IST
Disclaimer to begin with I am a so called north Indian-as I have
realised now.
-------
About this issue-Congress kept a deliberate slience for months and
allowed this issue to be so heated up that even the sane people
started taking sides on Raj(who in my opinion is a mere pawn in the
whole game).The first reaction came only when they realised that the
real target(Bal Thakrey) could now be cornered on Sachins statement.
Let us not forget that Sonia or Manmohan havent uttered a single word
on this-which also only confirms Ahmed Patels role here.
The only pity is that Maharashtrian intelligentia is not able to
counter this game of creating a ridicule out of them and make them
irrelavent in their traditional contribution in framing the national
discourse(ofcourse the other goal is to blunt the nationalism and
harmony between the Marathi and Non-Marathi speaking people).
Agree (13)
Disagree (7)
Prasad says:
November 17, 2009 at 02:57 PM IST
Excellent article.. We all Maharastians fed up of all the media
channels. Is thr any end to this controversy? It gets the feeling that
they want to instigate the both sides. Sometimes I wonder how many
seats MNS would win if Media was not thr.
They broadcast the breaking news depending upon their perception.
Someone should stop this nonsense.
Agree (11)
Disagree (7)
satish naik says:
November 17, 2009 at 03:11 PM IST
Fantastic article.Spoken like a real journo.Completly Agree.Press
should stop making issues of non issues.
Agree (10)
Disagree (3)
Rubs says:
November 17, 2009 at 03:16 PM IST
Its a good article bringing out the atrocities of the media
exagerating even the tiniest bit of news..but sometimes they help us
get to understand the so called big politicians ...
The point here is ...how can "a revered great human being"
blame someone for calling himself as Indian in our own country "
This can never be a crime , ppl shud be revered fr asnwering such
answers .
The truth is that Shiv sena wants such trivial issues to be brought to
light for mere vote politics
What would you call protests for irrevelent movies by shiv sena and
the marathi language fixation by these doing petty politics and the
media is doing right by highlighting them for we should see the real
colors of patriotism in the pillars of the country's politics.
Agree (10)
Disagree (1)
sudhir says:
November 17, 2009 at 03:16 PM IST
a commenting story i guess...giving my paean to our cricket
maestro...well i guess raj thakrey has just pulled the right string in
indian heart to hurt as he has given a comment against Sachin(the
happiness giver to over a 60 to 70 crore people excluding them who
cant afford a tv to watch the god playing its srokes).well can i ask
that thakrey family that who has given them the authority to speak
such blatantly about mumbai and whole of maharastra and whose
sentiments are hurt when sachin says mumbai are for
indians....vampires of maharstra.
regards
Agree (10)
Disagree (2)
Kumar says:
November 17, 2009 at 03:22 PM IST
An unassuming answer by Sachin has racked up such a furore in print
and electronic media that it looks this no news will overshadow more
important news (Koda scam/American spy/Paki spy) etc. Did Balasaheb
write that or was it someone using Balasaheb's nae and signature? If
Balasaheb had written it shows the senility of the person, I am afraid
to say.
Agree (10)
Disagree (31)
Su says:
November 17, 2009 at 03:23 PM IST
Ironically indeed, Balasaheb Thakre has exposed the truth - We all
indians are first A PUNJABI,MAHARASHTRIAN, KASHMIRI,BIHARI AND SO ON
AND THEN IN THE END AN INDIAN...THATS WHY WE HAVE STATES CARVED OUT ON
THE BASIS OF LANGUAGES/REGIONALISM. IF we were all indians first, we
would have had states organised on the principles of ECONOMIC
resources/terrain compatibility rather than criterioa like THE
LANGUAGE...LETS NOT BLAME BALASAHEB...HE HAS INDEED BY DEFAULT
UNWITTINGLY SHOWED TO US ALL OUR REAL FACE- MOST OF US ARE NOT INDIANS
FIRST AND SO WE REJOICE IN BEING A PUNJABI, MAHARASHTRIAN OR A
KASHMIRI.....ANY ONE LISTENING?
Agree (15)
Disagree (1)
Kabir says:
November 17, 2009 at 03:27 PM IST
Good article Mr. Rao.
Whatever Sachin said is correct. That what a patriot should say. We
shouldn't pay attention to people like Bal Thackeray and Raj
Thackeray. They are just playing with the sentiments of the Marathi
people for their own interests. They don't care about the country or
the people. As as the languaue and religion issues will help them to
achieve their political goals they will continue to beheave like this.
We can become a united India if we can educate all the people of our
country. Only proper education can solve all the problems of our
country. Hope that day will come fast when every one will be educated
and will be a responsible citizen of our country.
Agree (14)
Disagree (1)
Prem Nizar Hameed says:
November 17, 2009 at 03:54 PM IST
Press is one of the pillars of our democracy. But now it is, as you
put it in the second last paragraph, a commercial unit. An
unnoticeable phrase could be a streamer of the day. We expect that
even the other pillars get rusted, this is the only pillar that can
storm the weather in a democratic society. So, if the press people are
not able to bring in peace and tranquility in India, please avoid at
least fishing in the troubled water for the sake of their social
responsibilities. They have many other things to focus, which they
purposely and conveniently condone.
Agree (10)
Disagree (2)
abhijeet says:
November 17, 2009 at 04:17 PM IST
This was only an attempt by shiv Sena to gain the lost ground.
Unfortunately the move went drastically wrong. You cannot criticize
the God in a nation where people, with full devotion follow and
practice, Cricketism. No one in this nation has an authority to
question sachin's patriotism. Absolutely no one. His patriotism is a
league in its own and no one in last 3 decade can match that. Jai
Hind
Agree (6)
Disagree (2)
Nitesh says:
November 17, 2009 at 04:23 PM IST
So true. I think without any controversy it looks like an abominable
lull, so media makes an issue of a non-issue. But having said that
Balasaheb Thackrey looks a miniature in front of stature of Sachin
Tendulkar who I believe is the greatest role model alive not just on
the field but off the field too. He has carried himself like no other
celebrity. And why does media take up words of a person who is in his
last stages and is a paper tiger who has lost his jaw and paws. His
words are immaterial to 99.999 % of people of India.
Agree (5)
Disagree (2)
abhijeet says:
November 17, 2009 at 04:24 PM IST
This was only an attempt by shiv Sena to gain the lost ground.
Unfortunately the move went drastically wrong. You cannot criticize
the God in a nation where people, with full devotion follow and
practice, Cricketism. No one in this nation has an authority to
question sachin's patriotism. Absolutely no one. His patriotism is a
league in its own and no one in last 3 decade can match that. Jai
Hind
Agree (4)
Disagree (8)
deepak says:
November 17, 2009 at 04:42 PM IST
Completely Agree. Media has totally blown it out of proportion. It was
just a small comment by Thakeray in his paper and not that big an
issue but media did not let go of it even when India did.
Agree (9)
Disagree (2)
Nikhilesh sharma, Indore says:
November 17, 2009 at 05:31 PM IST
Being a cricketer Sachin is a civilian of independent country. It is
very strange to say Sachin as 'Marathi' or belongs to Mumbai only, if
he plays for the nation he represents to a nation and a sovereign
nation is made from different type of people and languages. I respect
to Bala Saheb he should not comment on a brilliant cricketer.
Agree (15)
Disagree (8)
Nadeem says:
November 17, 2009 at 05:32 PM IST
I am astonished to read this blog where author himself undermining the
field of journalism and freedom of reporting. It's the right of media
to bring into notice if any such discriminating/deragotary incident
occured in order to justify what is right and what is wrong.
How can an Indian slam such a great personality like Sachin? Only coz
for speaking about unity and telling everybody that Bombay belongs to
all, what a shame on Bal Thackery and his ghetto politics. Thackery's
don't spare any opportunity to harm the peace and unity of the states
of country.
Why not media should print or bring on air what was written in Saamna?
Media didn't exaggerated anything, they just quoted what Sachin and
Bal Thackery said.
Sachin is more chauvinist than Bal Thackery, he is more patriotic to
India in his own manner than these Thackerys. Difference between them
is that Sachin is looking the interest of India and Maharashtrians and
Thackery's are looking the interest of only Maharashtrians - judge
yourself.
Why Shiv Sena goons attacked the banglow of Manoj Tiwari? Coz Manoj
defended Sachin and criticized Thackery.
Yeah, you are right Ravi, it's the journalists trick to cover and
protect some "favored" goon politicians, isnt it?
I don't know whether my comments will be posted or not, if not, then
please explain why Mr. Journalist.
Agree (17)
Disagree (1)
Amit Sampat says:
November 17, 2009 at 05:51 PM IST
I do agree with you that the media should have exercised restraint in
this matter and not put Sachin Tendulkar in a Spot. Sachin is a great
cricketer, but at the same time he is a very humble persion and he
instinctively shies away from controversies of any kind. Therefore
this coverage by media was nothing but playing into the hands of
Balasaheb Thackeray and Shiv Sena, whom we all know is a dying
organization desperately looking for an elixir so that it can survive
one more day. Nothing can possibly justify Thackeray's outburst
against Sachin and it is a matter of National shame that an
organization like Shiv Sena that thrives by spreading regional hatred
is not banned and is allowed to function.
Agree (4)
Disagree (5)
Darshan says:
November 17, 2009 at 05:52 PM IST
Truly said at the last para..
We read that "Media is the mirror of the society" here Media
is becoming the driver of the society .they are not giving news/
information .they tell us their conclusions ..conclusion what a single
journalist feel ,conclusion what a news channel feels that it'll
sell..
I am truly agree with the content of this blog !!
Nice !!
Darshan
Agree (17)
Disagree (7)
vijaykar mishra says:
November 17, 2009 at 05:55 PM IST
Adarniya Baal Thakre ji and Raj thakre ji, my native place is U.P., I
born in Delhi 43 years ago, working here, now living in gurgaon since
last five years. I never felt like i am outsider. thank god we don't
have people like you here in rest of the country. If sachin tendulkar
said something which is acceptable to one billion people of our
country then who are you to object. Khali Dimag Shaitan Ka Ghar, i
think this is the only problem with you and your juniour. My request
to you is kindly do something for the welfare of the people of this
country, Your Marathi Manus will be taken care because they are also
Indian. Keep busy yourself and advise your Bhatija to do good things.
Atleast once you and your Bhatija come to other places you will come
to know that what India is. I request you, sorry i don't want to
request you i want to advise you don't interfere in public life, let
them work and earn their livelyhood peacefully. If you will ask any
Indian even from maharashtra you will find there is no takers for your
comments against sachin.
Let me tell you Amitabh Bachchan and Sachin Tendulkar Can achive more
than you what you have achive so far in your life but think about you
can you and your family can do even 0.01 percent what these great
personalities of our time. Let them make INDIA Proud with there
achivements. Don't Interfere please. It is my humble request to you.
Let India progress.
Agree (5)
Disagree (3)
Devendra Dubge says:
November 17, 2009 at 06:28 PM IST
Sachin is great and probably has nothing in the mind beside the game
and the country. But people have taken his words in incorrect
perspective and now that everyone is trying to bring in its own
perspective. Media is to be blamed to an extent for sure.
Controversy apart, our worry should be that these things should not
play on the mind of Sachin and he should keep concentrating on the
game only. He is the top icon of the World Cricket and would remain
there always. But nobody is permitted to try to taint his image.
Agree (4)
Disagree (9)
Uday Kulkarni says:
November 17, 2009 at 06:31 PM IST
Very well said but would like to add how the politicians lapped up the
opportunity equally as the other party politicians could have also
ducked the bouncer; instead the lalu yadavs and BJPs and congress -
all jumped into the fray to get mileage instead of just keeping MUM
Agree (6)
Disagree (11)
Slogger says:
November 17, 2009 at 06:31 PM IST
True. Completely media's fault.
Agree (6)
Disagree (4)
Sujay Patil says:
November 17, 2009 at 06:53 PM IST
Its true that the media has blown out the controversy, but blaming the
media alone won't suffice.
So i don't quite agree with the writer here...if at all Mr. Thackerey
would have kept his mouth shut & not being tempted to get some
brownie points for Marathi support and cited that some 105 fellows
sacrificed their lives for marathi cause and blah blah...this whole
controversy would not have come up.
Mr. Thackerey, he's THE sachin tendulkar.
If you try to spit on the moon, it falls on your own face.
"Chaand pe thookoge, to khud pe hi gidega"
So shut up.
Agree (12)
Disagree (17)
Rahul says:
November 17, 2009 at 07:05 PM IST
Hi Ravi
I completely agree with you, over smart media people are responsible
in making all this Sachin – Balasaheb rigged issue. In the first
place media people have caught Sachin off guard by asking him
altogether irrelevant question like, Mumbai belongs to whom?
There was no need to ask such a politically tainted question to master
blaster, but they did and Sachin gave honest answer without knowing
that his statement will be used by all political parties for their own
gain.
I think now onwards Sachin should be more careful from media, because
even though he is swift in playing googly, he is not so swift to play
googly of media.
Right now media people may be busy in concocting another controversy.
Agree (7)
Disagree (4)
vijaykar mishra says:
November 17, 2009 at 07:10 PM IST
It is my view, i don't know if others are having same view that What
Mr Bal Thakre said about Great Sachin Tendulkar because media and
others are giving them importance. Years ago same thing these people
said about Greatest Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. It has become comman among
us that we take interest in corrupt politicians Story and their
remarks in print and visual media. Lets take in this way if we start
listening only sachin's comments and avoid Thakre's remarks, then I am
sure one day will come when we will not listen these things in future
but it will happen only when media will participate and come forwarrd
in this mission. I advise the media, if they can start such type of
movement like INDIA FIRST MOVEMENT OF ZEE TV. I think people will
definetly come forwrd to support in media mission. One more thing I
request media they should stop writing about all corrupt people. Only
print and show their correption so that people should get their
correct picture. Sachin is great and will remain great. No Thakre (BAL
or RAJ) can stop him getting his achivements. Let's support Sachin and
condemn Sick Thakre's for their good and bad comments respectively.
Agree (3)
Disagree (13)
Abdul Sattar says:
November 17, 2009 at 07:18 PM IST
You are right. Media is instrumental in creating and fanning this
controversy unnecessarily because it has to keep on feeding the
appetite of viewers and readers.May I ask what would have been media's
reaction if Sachin would have parried the question and given a neutral
answer? What is particularly unfortunate is that because of the
limelight hogged by such items, other more important items like Abu
Azmi's shady past get neglected and remain uncovered
Agree (2)
Disagree (4)
Rakesh Bhalla says:
November 17, 2009 at 07:42 PM IST
One should be a good human being first. Which is more important than
anything else. When we buy grain or any eatables we don't ask the
seller from which region it is coming. Nobody ask the seller.
Agree (12)
Disagree (6)
Sharad says:
November 17, 2009 at 07:53 PM IST
There definitely is an issue and the issue is that non-marathis no
longer feel secure in Maharashtra. There is no guarantee that people
like Raj Thackeray will not disrupt even a peaceful, consitutionally
allowed event.
What is guaranteed is that that state and central government will not
act, for God knows what reason.
The biggest issue is the non-action on the part of those whom people
have voted to power so that they can protect our contitutionally given
rights.
If because of ppl lik Raj/Bal T who dont even have public mandate in
their own state, people cannot give exams or cannot take oath in
hindi, whats the meaning of being in one country. Lets split out. Let
rest of India stop using any product made in Maharashtra and
Maharashtra can keep growing in isolation.
If we are one country there has to be some law enforcement. Someone
cannot just come one fine day and give fatwa against our national song
and go scott free. If one particular community has misconception
(developed after 60+ years of the national song being in practice),
that should be clafified.
If Indian citizens are attacked for taking a recruitment exam in any
city in India, the culprits need to be taken to book.
And these actions have very far consequences, so the punishment should
be equal to that given for treason to nation.
Agree (1)
Disagree (4)
ashish nair says:
November 17, 2009 at 08:08 PM IST
Boss, It was sad the Govt didn't come up fast to the rescue by playing
damage control on the issue. The News Channel Reporter & those
with vested interest in the matter need to be brought to book.
Agree (2)
Disagree (6)
Jai says:
November 17, 2009 at 08:59 PM IST
Hey Man, I'll second that, from the bottom of my Soul to the top of my
should have been hat.
Agree (1)
Disagree (1)
premji jairam babaria says:
November 17, 2009 at 10:18 PM IST
Why make Sachin as scapegoat? He is innocent and he is not politician
he out of spur of moment innocently expressed when someone asked him
about India and Mumbai.In democracy everyone has right to express his
views.He is wrongly interpreted he is pride of Maharashtra and India.
Agree (1)
Disagree (1)
Manya says:
November 18, 2009 at 12:29 AM IST
Loved the title for the article ....
Agree (0)
Disagree (5)
Subhash says:
November 18, 2009 at 02:24 AM IST
Congradulations to Ravi Rao for the best piece of article ever on the
subject.
Agree (6)
Disagree (1)
Gurnoorinder Singh says:
November 18, 2009 at 06:52 AM IST
seriously i feel that....these Thackeray guys have lost the
plot....they have no idea what they speak, what they do.....and as for
Maharashtrians....i have got many frnds from Maharashtra....and even
they agree with me.....and the election results are more than
evident...what Maharashtrians think about Thackeray guys.....ITS GAME
OVER for them....they can change the thinking of few thousands....by
beating them....by threatening them....bt not of the whole
country....they've dared to speak against someone who is respected by
not only Indians....but by possibly all the cricket playing
nations....including Australians....so show respect guys....what M.
Jordan is to basketball, Maradona is to football....Sachin is to
cricket....so all rise and bow to SACHIN....including Thackeray
guys....
Agree (4)
Disagree (2)
JALAN KETAKI says:
November 18, 2009 at 09:41 AM IST
sachin feeels he is indian first then maharastrian. thackeray feels he
is maharastrian first. sachin is a national figure balasaheb is a
local figure. sachin thinks all india level. thackerya think only
about bombay sorry mumbai. thats it
Agree (4)
Disagree (8)
Pushkar Hate says:
November 18, 2009 at 09:53 AM IST
I liked the article. it is to the point and a true eye opener. why
should anyone be bothered about what sachin has a opinion about other
than cricket. Also the media was waiting for an oppurtunity to flair
up the issues on Marathi as it increases their TRP's. Some media
people and some netizens (people who work less and chat mofre using
their office resources) went to the extent and asked who is Balasaheb
Thackery to comment on Sachin. I pity their educated blindness and
yello journalism infested minds that they dont even know that this is
the man who had the so called Financial Capital of the country
"MUMBAI" at his feet. I would like to apologies first for my
harsh words which are coming ahead. I would like to ask those people
who asked that what did Bal Thackrey do for Mumbai, i would ask them
what did Sachin do for India (please pardon me)he always failed to bat
while he was the only hope for India to win. He got a Ferrari but has
he done a free camp for teaching underpriveleged children. I am sorry
but i reaally did not wanted to hurt any ines feelings. The moral is
there are still many people who have seen the golden days is Mumbai
and who knew that mumbai can be clean and organised with its actual
inhabitants free from immigrants from other states. I feel really
sorry to say but people dont understand that mumbai will no longer be
able to sustain it self with the ever increasing crowds coming from
other places thinking that Mumbai is a land of oppurtunity. The day
wont be far when there will be every second person jobless is mumbai
cause of overcrowding in the city, people dying of suffocation in the
local trains.
Agree (6)
Disagree (1)
preeti says:
November 18, 2009 at 10:19 AM IST
Sachin,the master-blaster has touched the inner chords of shiv sena
cheif,who by hook and crook is the only one creating conditions
unfavorable for all indians to live in.....he sings the saga of being
maharashtrian,aamchi mumbai......he is instilling the fire of
racism......australian atrocities and discrimination created uproar in
INDia ...but who is the one who will control the same in INDIA...
people who are not treated at par in their own Country ...will they be
respected worldwide......so media should play a good informative
role....they should be respected not looked down upon as is being done
these days....
so at i would conclude....INDIA is for "we the people of this
very own country"we have freedom to move anywhere,on political
grounds we cannot be secluded from our mumbai.....
Agree (2)
Disagree (5)
Kumar says:
November 18, 2009 at 10:36 AM IST
Why blame Balasaheb for being parochial/linguist Marathi Manoos. The
blame squrely lies with Nehru and the Government of the day when India
was divided in linguist state thus too many pradeshs/nadus came up.
Yet the father of Socialistic India can also be named/termed as the
father of divisive forces.
Agree (1)
Disagree (0)
NItin says:
November 18, 2009 at 10:50 AM IST
We are commenting this great article from Different -2 Areas / States
and opening Bal/Raj Offices / Brances in India as well. So just decide
What kind of people we are ?
Agree (2)
Disagree (1)
moni says:
November 18, 2009 at 11:01 AM IST
Will be stop eulogising cricket and Sachin as if there is nothing else
to do - I tell you this country is going to the dogs because of less
the media but more the swayable populace whose main claim to fame and
talent is a love of cricket and rarely anything else
Agree (12)
Disagree (0)
Hanif Mohammed says:
November 18, 2009 at 11:53 AM IST
Majority of Indians are capable to understand the issue, and Sachin
reflected exactly that. Well, will give you jurnos some home work to
do - go find out how much money the Thackery's have ammased since
forming SS - I am eagerly waiting to read the figures .... do you
dare ?
Agree (0)
Disagree (1)
JC Joshi says:
November 18, 2009 at 12:58 PM IST
If someone was to say it in a few words, both Sachin and Bala Saheb
are players that are popular in their own fields and, naturally, for
long have attracted for their deeds, or misdeeds, the attention of the
media persons whose number unfortunately is also growing in
geometrical proportions with the passage of time thanks to population
explosion. And, therefore, such controversies help feed some people,
at least for some time…like the panditji adds a spoon of ghee
to the dwindling ‘sacred fire’ to keep it going…
Agree (3)
Disagree (0)
swati says:
November 18, 2009 at 01:32 PM IST
Absolutely right, media plays a major role. Especially the audio/video
media which is meant for the masses who are illeterate or literate
only in terms of knowing a,bc,d and do not go to read newspaper.
Saamna is read by a few people and would have absolutely gone
unnoticed had not the TV media blown it out of proportion. I think
they play a major part in igniting flames in common mans mind but
should do for the right reasons of terrorism, nationalism and not play
into the hands of politicians. TV media is the one who has made Raj
Thackeray big, he knew it and media played into his hands.
Agree (3)
Disagree (3)
satish bhandarkar says:
November 18, 2009 at 02:03 PM IST
Mr Rao , if media has some sane journalists like you ,we will get
clean & healthy reporting of the real issues concerning country
& its citizens.But reality is otherwise,everything has become so
commercial, there is no hope for improvement
Agree (8)
Disagree (3)
Nadeem says:
November 18, 2009 at 02:31 PM IST
It's not a question of TV media exaggeration or anyone else, it's
question of right or wrong.
Sachin said something which unites the whole India and acceptable to
all sane person but what Bal Thackery said is totally opposite to it
and which is disrupting the harmony among states. Actually Bal
Tahckery threaten Sachin to be in your crease or limit which is
absolutely incorrect.
Initially who indulge in this rotten politics, Bal Tahckery not
Sachin. Thackery only initiated this dirty counter attack on Sachin.
I think some peole are ignorant enough not to understand the
difference between words coming out of Sachin's and Thackery's mouth.
Agree (10)
Disagree (1)
Nasir Khan says:
November 18, 2009 at 02:49 PM IST
Till today; I do not understand what actually Bal Thackeray and his
Shiv Sena does good for Mumbai other than dadagiri. It is media
projected him and his party above the lines otherwise we know their
strength. If they are true children of soil, they must be front runner
to protect Mumbai in blasts or attacks. During crisis, they disappear
and re-appear after returning to normalacy in drum their bands.
Agree (6)
Disagree (3)
virender rawat says:
November 18, 2009 at 04:04 PM IST
Media has done very good job and they have shown bal thakre his aukat.
sachin is great man, great batsman.
Agree (6)
Disagree (0)
Sharda Bhargav - The Confiscated Soul says:
November 18, 2009 at 04:53 PM IST
Sachin's contribution to international cricket is unparalleled. His
humble personality is unique and extraordinarily simple. He has never
got ruffled in the face of tough odds but tried to give his best
always whenever the country demanded.
Shiv Sena and MNS have peculiar thinking. Their men started with
thrashing innocent civilians on the streets and now MNS ventured
attack on MLA in the state assembly. This is an extremely dangerous
development. Their reasoning regarding oath in Hindi supposed to have
offended the Marathi manoos, is baseless and misguiding. It is only a
gimmick to grab attention and prominence.
Brave and legendary Shivaji followed the policy of tolerence to
accommodate all religions and sects, he believed in support to the
people irrespective of their caste, creed and faith to preserve rights
of countrymen. It is evident that Shiv Sena and MNS don't represent
Marathi manoos and their anti-democratic, sometimes violent behaviour
must be adequately tackled now.
Sachin is Team India's energy and inspiration. India will benefit from
his diligence and capacity to score more and more. None should pass
any cemments against him and let him concentrate on the game.
Young enthusiasts have a lot to learn from Sachin, the dedicated
cricketing legend and marvel.
Agree (3)
Disagree (11)
rohit says:
November 18, 2009 at 05:18 PM IST
mumbai is on its way to become another yugoslavia.yugoslavia
disintegrated and later on terrible massacres occured only because of
the demographic changes in bosnian and crotian held areas. so try to
create employment and avenues in your own areas rather than migrating
to others. otherwise results will be very much similar even if we
belong to the same religion.
chhotemianinshallah
Shiv Sena slams Sachin again in 'Saamna'
PTI 22 November 2009, 05:55pm IST
PUNE: Shiv Sena on Sunday unleashed another attack on Sachin Tendulkar
and compared him with Sunil Gavaskar who it hailed as a "true
Maharashtrian".
The attack came in an article in party mouthpiece 'Saamna' by Sena MP
Sanjay Raut days after party supremo Bal Thackeray accused the 36-year-
old cricket icon of hurting Marathi sentiments with his "Mumbai for
all" remark.
Comparing Tendulkar to Gavaskar (60), Raut alleged, "There has been no
instance of Sachin extending a helping hand to other Marathi
cricketers. Forget others, he did not even support Vinod Kambli."
"In contrast, Gavaskar when he captained India, had half the team
drawn from Mumbai and Maharashtra. He gave Test caps to many Marathi
players including Suru Naik and Zulphikar Parkar at least for one
match," he said, while also acknowledging Tendulkar's greatness as a
cricketer.
"In this context, Gavaskar is a genuine 'Maharashtrian' and the whole
country loves him even now in the same way," the article claimed.
"Players like Sachin have become rich because of game of cricket.
Sachin's wealth has crossed Rs 200-crore mark. We expect Sachin to be
as 'proud' of Maharashtra as Saurav Ganguly is of Bengal," it said.
"Rahul Dravid too is a Marathi player but he is loyal to Karnataka,"
Raut said.
Thackeray's remarks on November 16 had evoked angry reactions from a
host of political leaders as also the BCCI, who came down heavily on
the Shiv Sena chief for criticising Tendulkar, saying his statement
was just right and nobody could take objection to it.
Sid Harth
RSS chief raps MNS for fuelling language row
November 22nd, 2009 SindhToday
Bangalore, Nov 22 (IANS)
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat Sunday
criticised the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for fuelling a
language row by insisting on speaking only in Marathi even in the
legislature.
“At a time when the country is facing so many problems, it is
unfortunate that political parties like the MNS and Shiv Sena are
raking up the language issue and insisting on jobs for locals only in
a cosmopolitan city like Mumbai,” Bhagwat said while addressing about
15,000 swayamsevaks (RSS volunteers) at the sprawling Bangalore Palace
grounds here.
Decrying the MNS legislators for preventing Samajwadi Party member Abu
Azmi from taking oath in Hindi in the Maharashtra legislative assembly
Nov 9, Bhagwat said it was strange that while taking oath in an alien
language like English was acceptable, the same was not allowed in the
national language – Hindi.
“We are all one. There should be no discrimination on the basis of
one’s language or religion. We should treat everyone equal. Hindi and
other Indian languages should be as much acceptable as Marathi in a
city like Mumbai,” Bhagwat said.
Expressing concern over growing unrest across the country in the name
of language, culture and religion, Bhagwat said it was wrong on the
part of the MNS or the Shiv Sena to insist that people of different
languages and backgrounds should speak only in Marathi, that too in a
metro like Mumbai which belongs to all.
“Should we be fighting over language for vote-bank politics?
Assaulting Azmi for taking oath in Hindi in the house (assembly) is a
wrong approach. To insist that jobs should be given to only locals or
only Maharashtrians in a city like Mumbai is equally wrong as Mumbai
belongs to all Indians,” Bhagwat said in his hour-long address.
In this context, he praised Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa
and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi for unveiling the statues
of Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar in Bangalore Aug 9 and Kannada poet
Sarvajna in Chennai Aug 13.
“For the first time in Indian politics, the chief ministers of two
states have shown the country that we can all live together in harmony
and peace. They both have demonstrated the spirit of nationalism and
brotherhood,” Bhagwat recalled.
Bhagwat is on a two-day visit to the city for the first time since he
took over as the RSS supremo March 21.
[LM1]
bademiyansubhanallah
I am proud to be a Maharashtrian
Ranjona Banerji
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 0:35 IST Email
I'm not sure it is fair to make a connection, but in the run up to the
first anniversary of the November 26 terror attacks on Mumbai, does it
not seem a tad incredible that we should have spent so much time
fighting over what are, essentially, non-issues? Sachin Tendulkar gave
the country's unity, always under supposed threat these days, a great
boost with his pithy reminder that we are all Indians first and that
Mumbai belongs to India. It is hard to imagine how anyone can take
exception to this remark. And yet, the Shiv Sena came out all guns
blaring. Sadly for them, the guns turned out to be shooting blanks.
While the party has not given up -- 'what's so great about Sachin as a
Maharashtrian' is its latest provocative foray into foolishness --
there has to be an underlying feeling that Tendulkar has had the last
word for now on the Marathi manoos issue. People can be facetious and
say that the Sena has been pathologically opposed to the people with
the surname' Tendulkar', since the late great playwright Vijay
Tendulkar was a common target. Or that it has never really respected
Marathi icons. Bal Thackeray's ill-considered remarks about the much
respected and loved writer, the late PL Deshpande, in the 1990s saw
Marathi society rising as one in outrage and Thackeray had to
backtrack.
Of course there is no rule that says that even if you are in love with
the idea of some regional "asmita" or the other, you cannot criticise
people who belong to the same ethnic origin. For instance, in spite of
being of ethnic Bengali origin, I am not a great fan of Netaji Subhas
Chandra Bose but am a tremendous admirer of Rabindranath Tagore. So
what? But nor am I a huge believer in Bengali asmita. I feel that we
should be strong enough to withstand attacks or we are not worthy of
our regional parochialism. And I will, even when in the capital city
of West Bengal, alternate between Kolkata and Calcutta depending on my
mood. Again, so what?
This insistence on ethnic superiority surely has its limitations. It
is no greater to be a Tamilian than it is to be a Gujarati -- or
conversely it is great to be all of them -- so finally we all equal
each other out. Walking too far down this road leads you slam bang
into racism. How great are we if we cannot look beyond our state of
origin? Frogs in a well or tadpoles in a pond? Little fish dreaming of
being little fish forever?
Yes, there are issues of heritage which needs to be preserved. But
this back and forth over whether Sachin is more or less Maharashtrian
than Lokmanya Tilak is not helping the cause of preserving
Maharashtra's many great legacies. Yes, there are issues of historic
discrimination where race or origin becomes significant. But even
here, the attempt has to be to solve the problem of discrimination,
not to keep harping on the origin at all possible times and in every
possible context. By doing that, you trivialise the importance of the
problem and focus attention away from solutions.
Sadly, the Sena's current obsession with Marathi-ness has not helped
the national
image of Maharashtra at all. Instead, it has made a laughing stock out
of a state for no fault of the people of the state and it has also put
the rest of the country's back up. All Maharashtrians do not want to
be part of this controversy which is becoming ridiculous and making
them all look ridiculous. In fact, this also applies to people like me
who, whatever the ethnic origins, are proud to be Maharashtrians. Now,
we are needlessly explaining ourselves to people elsewhere.
The other question that is brought up at these times is of what to
make of Maharashtrians who have emigrated to other countries. Once you
open that door, the argument of pride, asmita, identity, country,
love, state, origin, blows through the roof. A good time to deracinate
ourselves, perhaps.
bademiyansubhanallah
Shiv Sena silent as Smita Thackeray plans to join Congress
2009-11-28 11:00:00
Last Updated: 2009-11-28 11:36:03
Mumbai: The Shiv Sena Saturday literally switched to silent mode as
party chief Bal Thackeray's daughter-in-law Smita Jaidev Thackeray
said she planned to join the Congress.
The phones of top Sena leaders remained "unavailable", "switched off"
or "not reachable" since a prominent national daily broke the news,
suddenly diverting the party's attention from the election for a new
Mumbai mayor to replace incumbent Shubha Raul.
According to an interview with the English daily, Smita has claimed
that she is being sidelined by a coterie in Matoshree, the Sena
chief's residence in Bandra East, and was being denied her due in the
party.
She has also alleged that she was promised a berth in Rajya Sabha last
year, but at the last minute it was given to senior journalist Bharat
Kumar Raut.
Expressing her frustration, Smita -- the estranged wife of Thackeray's
son Jaidev -- has also said that she is feeling stifled and
"suffocated" in Matoshree.
The 48-year-old Thacekray bahu is enamoured by the leadership
qualities of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul, and
says both of them are doing a great job of leading the country.
Expressing her admiration for both Sonia and Rahul as well as the
Congress ideology, Smita said she plans to call on them and join the
national ruling party soon.
Besides being deprived of any personal progress and getting
marginalised in the Shiv Sena, Smita said that the party is being
"unfair to Maharashtrians" with its divisive and parochial politics.
She also frowned upon attacks on fellow Indians in the name of
language and regionalism.
Smita, who loves to dabble with Bollywood and has produced a couple of
Hindi films including "Haseena Maan Jayegi", had grown into a power
centre during the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule in
Maharashtra 1995-99.
She continued to live in Matoshree with the Thackeray family though
her husband had left the household several years ago.
However, a few years ago, she moved into a separate bungalow in Juhu
as it kept her close to the hub of Bollywood.
Her son Rahul, who has learnt the craft of filmmaking from abroad, is
on the verge of making his first film in Marathi.
If and when Smita joins the Congress, it will be the second big
defection from the Shiv Sena since Bal Thackeray's nephew, Raj
Thackeray, left the party nearly three years ago to launch the
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
bademiyansubhanallah
Smita Thakeray is joining Hurriyat?
November 28th, 2009
Smita- Hey Pops! I’m leavin’.
Bal Thakeray (BT)- What! You haven’t even made my khichdi yet. You
can’t leave.
Smita- I don’t care about your khichdi anymore. I’m leavin’.
BT- OK OK! Never mind. I’ll tell Raj to make it. He’s actually very
good at making khichdi. See the way he has made a khichdi out of
Marathi Manoos. Do you know I taught him that?
Smita- I wish you had taught Udhav also the same thing.
BT- I thought you were leaving.
Smita- I am.
BT- While on your way back get 250 gms dahi for my raita.
Smita- Pops, you’ve lost it completely. I’m leavin’ for good. I’m not
coming back. Do you get it now?
BT- What the hell! Why have you suddenly decided to leave us?
Smita- That’s because you did not publish my article in Saamna.
BT- That’s because I did not understand it.
Smita- But it was written in Marathi, Pops.
BT- Even then.
Smita- And you did not give me a seat for Rajya Sabha either.
BT- Bahu, that chair has gone for repairs. As soon as the carpenter
repairs it you’ll get your seat.
Smita- Your carpenter is also like you, old and defunct. Besides, you
also did not give me a Shiv Sena ticket for assembly elections.
BT- By the time you came to the ticket counter they had all been sold
out. You were late.
Smita- You sold those tickets?
BT- Is there any other way it’s done?
Smita- Forget it, Pops. I’ve had enough of you and your khichdi.
Actually, this is the main reason why I’m leaving. I’m sick of having
khichdi three times a day.
BT- Beta, you know we are going through a recession. Khichdi is the
cheapest option.
Smita- Even after selling all those tickets you don’t have enough
money to buy decent food?
BT- Beta, it is only after selling those tickets that we are able to
buy rice for our khichdi.
Smita- Don’t give me that crap, Pops. I saw you having halwa
yesterday.
BT- That was sent by LK Advani. In any case, that was the last halwa
he sent me. Very soon he himself will be down to khichdi.
Smita- No pops. Given the way things are it’s not just Advani but the
entire BJP will be down to khichdi. And that’s exactly the reason why
I’m joining Congress.
BT- Congress? Are you out of your mind? Why don’t you join RSS?
Smita- I don’t like their shorts. They are too long. And besides,
Soniaji has promised to loan me her Italian sarees and shoes.
BT- What? Italians are making sarees these days?
Smita- Yeah, at the rate at which Berlusconi is going they need to
cover every Italian woman in sarees so that he gets confused where to
start from. Get the picture?
BT- OK Ok! But what about those shoes?
Smita- Oh, Soniaji has a nice collection. She’s giving me a couple of
them.
BT- If it’s shoes that you want why don’t you join AIADMK? Not only
has Amma herself got seven hundred pairs but the people of Tamil Nadu
also keep throwing their shoes at her. No one can beat her collection.
Smita- What about ideology, Pops?
BT- Do you think AIADMK has an ideology?
Smita- No Pops. I’m through with Ammas. My kaamwali amma is more than
enough to make up for all the ammas of this world. Besides, I’m not
very keen on idli sambhar either. I want to have mutton chops and
tandoori chicken.
BT- In that case the options are PDP (People’s Democratic Party) and
SAD (Shiromani Akali Dal).
Smita- There’s a party called PDP in our country?
BT- Yeah, there is but it is as good as not being there. Mufti
Mohammad Sayeed, remember?
Smita- Oh the one who released five militants in exchange for his
daughter Rubina Sayeed? No Pops. I’m not joining his party. He may not
do it for some one like me. You see, I’m not his daughter after all. I
don’t want to put him in an awkward position, just in case.
BT- Don’t worry. He’ll never be in any worthwhile position ever again
in his life.
Smita- What about SAD?
BT- Go ahead if you can live with that name.
Smita- I guess not.
BT- How about Mayawati’s BSP?
Smita- What? Haathi mere saathi? Do I have to live with animals now?
BT- No bahu. I suggested BSP because it’s BAHU-jan Samaj Party. And
you are my bahu. Aren’t you?
Smita- Grow up, Pops.
BT- How about Hurriyat?
Smita- Pops, they want to divide India!
BT- How does it matter? I’ve lived and thrived by those very virtues.
And besides, you’ll get to eat mutton chops, gostaba and what have
you.
Smita- Yeah, Pops. It’s settled then. I’ll join Hurriyat Conference.
Bye Pops. And give my love to UD-half Thakeray.
BT- It’s Udhav Thakeray.
Smita- Whatever.
BT- And what do you mean by Half Thakeray?
Smita- Never mind.
BT- Don’t go please, Bahu hu hu hu! Sorry, bu hu hu hu!!!!!!!!
chhotemianinshallah
Thackeray bahu Smita set to join Congress
S Balakrishnan, TNN 28 November 2009, 02:01am IST
MUMBAI: It's unthinkable that a member of Shiv Sena supremo Bal
Thackeray's deep-saffron family will switch to the enemy camp. But
that's what Smita Thackeray, his 48-year-old daughter-in-law, appears
to be doing in suddenly announcing her decision to join Sonia Gandhi's
Congress party. ( Watch Video )
``I have become a big admirer of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and
want to be part of the good work being done by them for the country,''
she told TOI on Friday.
The reasons for Smita's decision are two. One, she feels the Shiv Sena
is being unfair to Maharashtrians with its parochial and divisive
politics and two, she was being systematically marginalised by
powerful elements in the Thackeray household.
``I cannot stand the suffocation any more and have decided to join the
Congress, which has a national and global vision. I now feel most
comfortable with the Congress ideology.''And there was more gushing
praise for the first family of Indian politics.
``I personally admire the way Soniaji has been leading the party and
the country. Even though Rahul is maintaining a low profile, he too is
doing enormous work for the nation,'' she said.
Smita said she was in touch with senior leaders of the Congress in New
Delhi, and it was only a question of time before she formally stepped
into the party. She is likely to call on Sonia Gandhi and Rahul in the
capital soon. For the Congress it will be a prize catch, and
indications are that Smita will be given an important post in the
organisation.
A politically ambitious person, Smita was a power centre in
Maharashtra when the Sena-BJP alliance came to power in 1995. Several
IAS, IPS officials and businessmen waited on her, seeking some favour
or the other. The perception was that she was the person closest to
Balasaheb.
``The fact that I am Saheb's daughter-in-law certainly helped. In
fact, I owe everything to him and continue to hold him in high regard.
But over the years, I found that certain elements in the household,
who shall remain unnamed for the present, were seeking to marginalise
me.''
She accused other Thackeray loyalists of trying to hurt her in several
ways. ``They tried to dent my identity as a social activist and film
producer. People in Bollywood used to get calls from these people,
warning them against any association with me,'' she said.
Smita said that her father-in-law, who was earlier very supportive,
himself failed to keep his promises to her. ``I was promised a berth
in the Rajya Sabha, but I was shocked when I learnt that my seat had
been given to journalist Bharat Kumar Raut. In the assembly election
too, I was promised a ticket, but it was denied to me for no apparent
reason. One of my articles was published in the Sena mouthpiece,
Saamna. But when I took the second article to Balasaheb, who is the
editor, he refused to publish it. I got the message that I was not
wanted any more, and tore up the article on the spot. It is painful to
politically dissociate myself from the Sena, but I have no choice,''
she said.
Smita, who is the estranged wife of Bal Thackeray's son Jaidev, said
she never considered the MNS an alternative since she did not agree
with Raj Thackeray's politics. ``I am extremely proud to be a
Maharashtrian,'' she said. ``I speak only in Marathi with my two sons
at home. In fact the first film being produced by my son Rahul, who
has trained in film-making in Toronto, is in Marathi. But I want
Maharashtrians to change with the changing times. English is today a
powerful tool of communication. Even the Chinese are realising this. I
want Maharashtrians to be exposed to the literature of not only P L
Deshpande, but also of Premchand and other great writers in other
languages. I am against attacks on fellow Indians and the damaging of
public property.''
Smita wrote an article in a Marathi daily recently advocating her
views on language, and said she received ``over 200 emails'' from
Maharashtrians endorsing her views. Asked for her views on Uddhav, she
replied: ``I think Balasaheb gave him a big post too early. He should
have been trained in politics before being given such a huge
responsibility.''
Even though she lives in a spacious bungalow in Juhu, Smita retains
her room in Matoshree, the Thackeray home in Bandra East. Since she is
the first Thackeray to join the Congress, does she fear the
consequences? ``I have an identity of my own and am old enough to take
decisions for myself. I do not fear anyone,'' she answered firmly.
Sid Harth
Sandeep Ashar / DNA
Monday, November 30, 2009 2:39 IST
Mumbai: After leaving the Shiv Sena bleeding with a hundred cuts the
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray may give the
rancour a brief burial. If the Sena manages to hold on to the mayor's
post again, it could well be Raj's gift to his embattled uncle Bal
Thackeray.
The Congress, upbeat after victories in the Lok Sabha and assembly
elections, is wooing dissatisfied corporators from the Sena-BJP camp
to weaken the saffron alliance's hold over the municipal corporation.
In such an eventuality, the MNS could steady the Sena's boat and lead
them to a win on December 1.
Sources in the MNS camp told DNA that the six corporators from the
party might be asked not to support either the Sena or the Congress
nominees for the mayor's post. The "neutral" stand will help Sena
retain the post.
Getting his party's candidate elected to the mayor's post is the first
major challenge for Balasaheb, who has taken charge after the Sena
took a severe knocking in the assembly polls. Battling hard to stem
infighting in the ranks, the Sena will be put to test on December 1,
the day of the election. The party has presided over the post for over
a decade now.
The Sena-BJP alliance has 115 corporators in the 225-member municipal
corporation. The Congress-NCP combine has 97. The MNS has six
corporators and the Samajwadi Party (SP) seven. Even as the Congress
camp tries to win over "vulnerable" components, a victory looks
distant without the support of the MNS and the SP.
And, even if the MNS were to change its strategy in the final leg and
join the Congress camp, it may well work in Sena's favour. Samajwadi
party leader Abu Azmi has asserted that if Congress seeks MNS support,
then his party won't align itself with it.
For the record, MNS spokesperson Shirish Parkar said his party will
decide its strategy on Monday.The Congress camp, however, will not
give up a fight. Its strategy is to make corporators from the Sena-BJP
camp abstain from voting. The party has nominated a Narayan Rane
supported corporator Presila Kadam for the post. Kadam will take on
Sena's Shraddha Jadhav.
The Rane camp has already held talks with two corporators from the
Arun Gawli-led Akhil Bhartiya Sena, both of whom are part of the
saffron alliance. Rane's son Nitesh insists that talks are also being
held with other disgruntled elements in the Sena-BJP camp.
"I can tell you that their number is more than seven." Without the
MNS's support, the Congress camp will have to ensure at least 13 Sena-
BJP corporators. Both the Shiv Sena and the BJP held meetings on
Sunday to keep their flock intact. Corporators from the alliance have
been instructed to remain present at the civic headquarters three
hours before elections begin on December 1.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_raj-thackeray-wants-to-help-balasaheb_1318209
chhotemianinshallah
2 Dec 2009, 0418 hrs IST, ET Bureau
MUMBAI: The Congress, and especially Narayan Rane, suffered an
embarrassing defeat at the hands of Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in the
mayoral poll on Tuesday as it failed to oust the saffron camp from the
country’s richest municipal body.
Sena’s Shraddha Jadhav trounced Congress nominee Presila Kadam by a
comfortable margin. In the Sena-BJP ruled Brihanumbai Municipal
Corporation, Congress had promised “a miracle” in the mayoral poll.
BJP’s Shailaja Girkar was elected deputy mayor.
But finally, the Congress challenge crashed with a whimper as the
Sena, ironically with help, though indirect, from rivals Maharashtra
Navnirman Sena and Samajwadi Party, managed to sail through.
Addressing a press conference later, Sena executive president Uddhav
Thackeray, took a dig at Mr Rane saying that “not all the people in
politics are up for sale like him”.
Mr Thackeray was apparently referring to the tall claims made by Mr
Rane and his son Nilesh about a massive cross-voting from the Sena
men. The saffron combine kept its flock together and even got the
votes of corporators who had earlier pledged their support to the
Congress nominee.
It was quite an anti-climax for Congress, since it had built up an
interesting countdown that projected a close contest. Ms Kadam, who
was fielded at the behest of Mr Rane, however, polled only 95 votes as
against 114 by the Sena nominee. The Sena task was made easier by
seven SP corporators who abstained and six MNS members who were marked
absent.
Worse for Mr Rane, the two Akhil Bharatiya Sena corporators, who had
assured support to Congress, changed their mind at the last minute and
stayed with the Shiv Sena.
Meanwhile, the two Sena corporators who had gone missing on Monday
reappeared on Tuesday and even took part in the polling. The Shiv
Sena, pushed to the wall, had delegated responsibilities to its ward-
level functionaries to ensure that all Sena corporators take part in
the poll and vote for the party nominee.
Though the mayor’s post is largely ceremonial, the election had become
quite prestigious for the Sena as Congress tried to snatch the post.
After the assembly polls which reduced the Shiv Sena to a humiliating
fifth position in Mumbai, the party was on the edge. For once, MNS did
an indirect favour to it by abstaining. So did the old rival SP which
had, in fact, promised to help Congress but abstained finally.
A commerce graduate, Ms Jadhav was elected corporator from Parel as an
independent candidate in 1992 before she joined the Shiv Sena and
replaced Shubha Raul as the city mayor. This is the second time that
the mayor was elected by raising of hands and not through secret
ballot.
chhotemianinshallah
Shiv Sena may regret remarks on Biharis
Kiran Tare / DNA Friday, December 4, 2009 1:43 IST
Mumbai: The Shiv Sena may express regret to Parliament for an
editorial in party newspaper Saamna last year attacking Biharis. In
March 2008, a Saamna editorial titled 'Ek Bihari, sou bimari' had
lambasted the "tendency of Biharis to create unhealthy conditions" and
accused them of polluting the Ganga. It had also said that some Bihari
politicians who ought to have been in jail were in Parliament instead.
The editorial appeared after Janata Dal (United) MP Prabhunath Singh
said the minds of Mumbaikars are rotten because they live by the sea.
The privileges committee of the Rajya Sabha summoned Saamna executive
editor Sanjay Raut on Thursday to explain his stand. Raut is a member
of the Rajya Sabha.
Raut told the committee that the editorial was neither against the
House nor against Bihar. "Still, if the Rajya Sabha feels we have
insulted the House, we are ready to regret. But it will not be an
apology."
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_shiv-sena-may-regret-remarks-on-biharis_1319783
Sid Harth
Sandeep Ashar / DNA Wednesday, December 9, 2009 1:14 IST
Mumbai: After leading last week's water protest march to the
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters, Congress leader
Nitesh Rane has now set his sight on the Shiv Sena-BJP leaders. Rane
has accused the Sena-BJP corporators of being hand-in-glove with the
water mafia.
"There is sufficient water available with the BMC for a 24 hours water
supply to homes. There is no need for a 15% cut, which has been
imposed on the citizens," Rane said.
"However, the Sena-BJP ruling alliance won't let that happen as it is
not in their personal interest." Rane also warned tanker owners
against illegally selling water.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_sena-bjp-are-running-the-water-mafia-nitesh-rane_1321696
bademiyansubhanallah
PTI 9 December 2009, 03:29pm IST
MUMBAI: Joining issue with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his
remark that a Muslim can become the prime minister provided he is the
most capable person for it, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Wednesday
said to qualify for the top job the community will first have to
support the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
"Rahul is not the owner of the country. He should ensure that Muslims
follow a common civil code, family planning, support Ram temple at
Ayodhya and Vande Mataram is made compulsory for them. Only then a
Muslim can become the PM," Thackeray said in an editorial in Sena
mouthpiece Saamna.
"The way Muslims are being appeased, it is clear that India is no
longer secular but an undeclared Islamic state," he said.
Asked how much time it will take for India to get its first Muslim
prime minister, Gandhi had said during an interaction with students of
the Aligarh Muslim University two days back that, "it is not about
what religion or community you come from, it is what you bring to the
table, what capability you have."
"Today, Manmohan Singh is not the Prime Minister of India because he
is a Sikh. He is the Prime Minister because he is the most capable
person to do the job," Rahul had said.
Muslim PM only if community backs Ram temple: Bal Thackeray
K. Vaidya,Mumbai,says:I have always wondered, ever since the Babri
Masjid fiasco. Even Lord Rama used to worship Lord Shiva. Which is why
there is a Rameswaram in the South ( Ram's Easwar). Why is it that no
one ever objected to we Indians needing a passport to visit Lord
Shiva's Mount Kailash? More because, Ayodhya is an easy job. Surely
not Mount Kailash.
[9 Dec, 2009 1738hrs IST]
Shut ur ugly mouth,Old thakrey,says:Mr. Shameful, don't try to get
cheap publicity by giving such communal statement. India is getting
matured and educated. BE AWARWE....UR COMMUNAL GAMES will not work any
more, which has been ur tone in the past
[9 Dec, 2009 1737hrs IST]
MH Syed,Ahmedabad,says:To read the words of Mr. Bal Thakre in response
to Mr. Rahul Gandhi about muslim PM any Indian will be shaimed as a
head of political party his reaction is not to that standered but his
statement is like foolish man.He intentionally ignore the reference to
context and create unnecessary point.People in majority not thinking
like Mr. Bal Thakre and that is why BJP-Shiv sena can not come to
power in Maharastra as well as in centre.
[9 Dec, 2009 1736hrs IST]
Siddique A. Khan,Saudi Arabia,says:In the same way as Rahul Gandhi is
not the owner of India, Bal Thackray also does not own the country.
There is absolutely no way any of the demands of Bal Thackray can be
conceded to by any self respecting Muslim Indian. In a parliamentry
democracy the people's representatives elect the prime minister. To
publish such vacuous comments by an octagenerian whose politics of
hate have bombed at the hustings, is wasting valuable media space.
[9 Dec, 2009 1736hrs IST]
Sunil,London,says:Well said Mr. Thackray...he does not own
HINDUSTAN...INDIA FOR HINDUS!! JAI SHREE RAM!
[9 Dec, 2009 1718hrs IST]
Balaji,Bengaluru,says:I dont understand why this question has arised.
Because already we had President(First Citizen of our Country) who is
a Muslim. So then what is in that question and answering it. We are
Indians and one who follow Hinduism is Hindu and Islam is Muslim thats
it. Even If one wont follow any of religion and one is true to India
and the people, can be Prime Minister or even President to Lead the
country, to be a prosperous country.
[9 Dec, 2009 1710hrs IST]
Lakshmi sampath,Chennai,says:He is absolutely right. When we are said
to be democratic and secular, every citizen are bound to follow the
rules. Rules cannot be different for different communities.
[9 Dec, 2009 1709hrs IST]
Prem,London,says:Dear Thackeray, dont talk like a Baal. You first
project yourself as a secular person. Then you speak about India.
People of Maharashtra has clearly given verdict against you to shut
your mouth and take care of your health. Please stay away of it. Let
Rahul Gandhi do his good work.
[9 Dec, 2009 1707hrs IST]
k.venkataraman,new delhi,says:rahul seems to be growing sensible.
however, what shiv sena chief says has reason and rationale. i agree
with him. the muslims have to identify themselves with the country.
they cannot blackmail the political outfits to have their way. the
political outfits should not go down on their knees to placate the
muslims and christians.( they dont do the same with sikhs or jains.)
at the same time the muslims and hindus should sit down and make a
plan in the case of ayodhya that they build simultaneously a mosque
and a temple at a distance of two or three kilometres with an entry
point and exit point whereby any one entering the complex has to go
around both the edifices so that hindus and muslims are not separated
at least in ayodhya.
[9 Dec, 2009 1703hrs IST]
Fa,LOndon,says:People like BAl Thakrey must be tried in court they are
just dividing the country. There aim is simple divide and rule.
[9 Dec, 2009 1655hrs IST]
yousufkhan,hyderabad,says:ARE YAAR TUM BHAGWAN KO YAAD KARO ABHI
POLITICS YOUNGSTERS PAR CHODO BAQI DIN AARAM SE GUZARO.
[9 Dec, 2009 1655hrs IST]
Pavan,US,says:Talking about capability ....Rahul belongs to the Nehru
Dynasty and has absolutely no capability ...same for Uddhav
thakeray ...
[9 Dec, 2009 1650hrs IST]
H.R. Sreepada Bhagi,Erbil,says:Rahul Gandhi is right in saying the top
job of the country will go to the most efficient and eligible person
irrespective of his caste or religion. Unfortunately, the party which
he belongs to has been toying the line of pseudo secularism in Secular
India.They have been doing everything to appease the Muslims. It was
the Congress Govt. in Andra Pradesh, which proposed reservation for
Muslims. Balathakeray is also right by saying that, Application of
Common Civil Code, Compulsory Family Planning, Singing the National
Song should be ensured. Unless the Muslims become Indians by heart,
One person can not make statement assuring or otherwise of PMs post in
India. Muslims have many countries in the Word, but how many countries
are there for Hindus?, Only India & Nepal & both have declared
themselves as secular. When no other country has declared itself as
secular, why should these countries declares so, Only to appease some
external elements. India starts revel development from the day, all
kinds of reservations or eliminated, Uniform population control
measures are brought in to force, Compulsory education & state support
for it by appointing teachers only on merit & fix age, qualification
and experience for politicians at various levels, till then only god
help us survive.
[9 Dec, 2009 1649hrs IST]
Vikram,v...@yahoo.com,says:Rahul Gandhi is not owner of the country,
neither is Bal Thackeray. The people will decide, so these fools need
to shut their pie hole.
[9 Dec, 2009 1648hrs IST]
Gopikant,Kolkatta,says:All citizen have a same law. Law should
different for diffrent citizens. A unified civil code required.
Muslims can marray 3 persons, Hindu wiil lose his job if it do so. We
fully support Unified Civil Code. but is not possible by so called
Secular parties.
[9 Dec, 2009 1647hrs IST]
Mustafa,Delhi,says:Jeb mein nahee hai daane aur amma chali bhunane
[9 Dec, 2009 1643hrs IST]
An Indian,From Motherland,says:Is Bal Thackeray owner of this country?
He talks too much and nonsense always. He should try to control first
his nephew and daughter in law. Nothing good comes out from his dirty
mouth.Instead of poking nose in every matter he should keep quiet and
concentrate to solve the internal problems and differences of Shiv
Sena. In fact he is a coward person. He cannot do any constructive
work for the country and its citizens except creating differences and
causing huge destruction to the nation. He is good for issuing
provocative and bitter statments only.
[9 Dec, 2009 1623hrs IST]
Arif Shah,Melbourne,says:Muslim should be thankfull to Takhery.He is
keeping their pride and conscious awake.300 million Muslims can not be
ignored we have ruled this country for 900 years.Look around ,you will
find ...Lal Qila ,Taj Mahal,Fathepuri and other hundreds of
monuments...its cnturies of our rule...Our influence in your
language.....our influence in your tradition and culture....
[9 Dec, 2009 1618hrs IST]
Pritam Kumar,Dubai,says:Aging paper tiger should learn a lesson or two
from young Rahul Gandhi who very correctly stated capability is the
main qualification for any Indian to become PM not religion. Bal
Thackeray diatribe against Muslims still continues despite when he is
on the way out, his mouthpiece Saamna is an highly deplorable paper
and who gave him the right to talk such nonsense regarding Muslims,
well, there is no hope that despite his falling health & total
inability to keep family flock together still have the audacity to
talk bad about Muslims as if he is the only Indian.
[9 Dec, 2009 1618hrs IST]
Dwj,Mumbai,says:ThackerayJee! Please let those conditions laid down by
your goodself be the eligibility criteria for citizenship not for
primeministership. Because, may be you are aware, Indonesia, a muslim
country with Hindu tradition, is slowly shedding its Hindueness to
become a full fledged islamic country. What does it validate? Muslims
are muslims always. They will never change - medieval or modern.
Similarly even if a muslim is to accept all the conditions imposed by
you, he will only continue to be a muslim because of the very nature
of the religion he follows which is unbearably exclusive, excessively
aggressive and disgustingly intolerant.Once a muslim PM, that is
return of the mughul rule in India. Then God save Hinduism, Hindus and
Hindustan.
[9 Dec, 2009 1609hrs IST]