|
As
President of the Bihar Association of Canada,
and a proud Bihari NRI, I have been deeply
offended by the actions of certain politicians
in India and their statements. While the
catalyst of this letter was the speech made by
Delhi Chief Minister Mrs. Sheila Dikshit where
she overtly stated that New Delhi is suffering
from the large number of people from Bihar and
UP, this appalling incident is sadly not
isolated. Unfortunately I am not shocked; this
was similar to statements made by Mrs. Hema
Malini and Mr. Raj Thakhre in the past showing
strong prejudice against the people of Bihar.
These tactics are a political ploy used in the
dirtiest sense of the term and for no apparent
political gain. These were statements made for
the sole purpose of sensationalism and
attracting voters from fringe ideologies to
hijack Indian politics, and they consistently
prove unsuccessful, resulting in insincere
apologies that cause further turmoil and
embarrassment.
The acquiescence of major parties such as the
Congress Party Sheila Dikshit belongs to and the
BJP Hema Malini belongs to is also disturbing.
It is different for Raj Thakhre to make hurtful
statements, he is himself a fringe activist who
does not pretend to speak for a larger party or
greater constituency, but for prominent
politicians belonging to the two major parties
of Indian politics acts such as this are
shameful. These parties should not stand for
such insolence on the part of their members,
these are people speaking for more than
themselves, and this carelessness cannot be
accepted by major political parties. The
Congress Party and the BJP should take action
against members such as Mrs. Dikshit, and should
make it clear that they do not wish to be guilty
by association of insulting people who have
aided in the creation of India. Saying that
people from certain areas should not be allowed
mobility across the country is a fundamental
denial of the right to “equality of status and
of opportunity” guaranteed to all Indian
citizens under the constitution. If the Chief
Minister of Delhi is ignorant of her own
constitution, there cannot be political
prosperity. Even if this were not an issue of
constitutional freedom, it’s politically
malevolent for the Congress Party.
The reason my statements are relevant to this
situation is that when something happens in
India, NRIs are contacted to offer support,
monetary or otherwise. Thus, we hold a stake in
the proper administration of our homeland. NRIs
are also urged to aid in the prosperity and
development of India, making our concerns about
political administration all the more
legitimate. When something like this happens, as
a Bihari and proud Indian I cannot help but be
offended and concerned about the Indian
government.
For the Congress Party to idly watch while its
member says something destructive, and then
rather than force her to apologize immediately,
attempts to spin the media to control the
negative repercussions is disgraceful, and
reflects horribly on Indian politics altogether.
Rather than dividing Indians, Mrs. Dikshit
should muster up the energy to do what she was
elected for, promote the advancement of Indians
in Delhi, regardless of origin. India protects
mobility and opportunity, the leader of the
ruling party herself being a naturalized Indian.
The truth is that regardless of origin, Indians
are equal, and it’s time that Mrs. Dikshit
recognizes it and the Congress Party enforces
this truth. It’s better to lose people like Mrs.
Dikshit and Mrs. Malini now than to face the
consequences at election time.
|
Comments: |
It was good to read Mr. Jha's
article. His reaction came from the
heart. I wish this article had been
written by Shatrughan Sinha, Manoj
Vajpayee or Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Unfortunately, Shatrughan Sinha and
Manoj Vajpayee won't muddle their
public image by speaking on this
contentious issue because their
profession requires them to have
public approval. Lalu Yadav on the
other hand, is the 'sarson ka bhoot.'
In exorcism, the Shaman
(witchdoctor) uses mustard seeds. He
throws handfuls of these seeds at
the possessed individual. It is said
that if the 'bhoot' takes up
residence in the 'sarson' itself,
then exorcism can not succeed. So
Lalu is the 'sarson ka bhoot' and so
he can not speak on this issue. He
represents everything negative
(except that he is filthy rich) that
is said about Biharis in the spirit
of malice.
The biased and prejudiced words that
emanate like foul smelling miasma
from the mouths of the greats like
Sheila Dikshit, Hema Malini and that
Dada Kondke guy (or whatever his
name is), can not make a dent in the
situation. Biharis are there and the
are there to stay and prosper. We
are in your face, India, like us or
not. If you like us, we will like
you, if you hate us, lets butt heads
- there are lots of us where we come
from and you will wear your arms to
stumps fighting us in our right to
live wherever we want in the
country.
Some of us are poor and some are
unenlightened. Big deal ! Many of
you are no better ! We speak funny ?
Heck, our Bhojpuri and Awadhi is
what Ramcharitmanas is written in.
If you didn't know, that Dada Kondke
(or whoever) should at least have
known that. He goes around
proclaiming to be a better Hindu
than everyone else!
Sorry India, we are there and some
of you don't like us. Embrace us and
we will live in peace. We all have
already experienced the contrary
when we lost territory to the
formation of Pakistan and
Bangladesh. How many pieces more do
you want to excise out of your body
politic. We are your heart. Go
ahead, make my day ! - Aarcee -
May
12, 2007 |
|
Discussion on this topic is now
closed. |
Return to previous Page |
