It was rather sad to witness sporadic violence after MNS chief Raj Thackery’s comments about the north Indians migrating to Mumbai and making things difficult for the maharashtrians! The north indians were beaten on the roads, vehicles manhandled and shops were closed in order to disrupt the common man’s life. Isn’t it a shame when a political leader wants to attract publicity by resorting to such tactics…

I have always looked at Mumbai being a cosmopolitan place and in fact when i came here almost two and a half years ago this is what attracted my attention and at a result i ranked it above other metropolitan cities. Mumbai has space for everyone and people are respectful of each other’s feelings. Generally people are helpful and cheerful here.

It should also be understood that people who have shifted here due to better opportunities are also contributing to the city’s progress. The rents in the city are so high that no ordinary person can survive here even if he or she belongs to lower strata. It takes guts to survive in Mumbai and it is not everyone’s cup of tea.

Mr Thackery should understand that by evoking such sentiments in the people he just gathered negative publicity. Mr Bachhan who belongs to U.P. is being targeted as to what he has done for Mumbai. Does his work not speak for itself…is he earning money by unethical means…is he not paying his taxes…or is he not proving employment to maharashtrians in his household since his stay in mumbai…ditto for other celebrities who are from other states and made mumbai their home! Even for salaried people like us, are we not providing employment to maharashtrian maids, cooks, drivers et al…it is so immature to rake up this issue at a political level…this just shows how intolerant our politicians are and what lesson are they conveying to their voters. It’s high time politicians understood their responsibility towards society and taught a lesson of tolerance and equality to the people. Then only can they call Mumbai their own too!