It is BJP-RSS v/s Sena in Maharashtra Now

The rift in the saffron camp over the issue of North Indian migrants in Mumbai widened today with BJP joining the RSS to take on its key ally Shiv Sena head on asserting that the party does not believe in any regional identity that “discriminates” Indians.

Amid the escalating war of words among the saffron outfits, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram firmly rejected the Shiv Sena’s controversial ‘Mumbai for Maharashtrians’ stand as “pernicious thesis”, saying the country’s financial capital belonged to all Indians who are free to live and work there.

After opening a new front against the RSS on the emotive migrants issue, the Shiv Sena targeted the Sangh parivar chief yet again with its top leader Uddhav Thackeray asking the Sangh not to interfere in its stand.

On the other hand, the BJP and RSS in a broadside against Bal Thackeray’s party said there should be no discrimination against North Indians in Maharashtra and no party should create a divide for the sake of political gain.

BJP President Nitin Gadkari broke his silence on the migrants issue to reinforce the RSS view articulated by its boss Mohan Bhagwat triggering the rift with the Sena.

“We respect as a ground reality that at a regional level there is tradition, heritage and language identity. But there is no conflict between regional and national identity.

“And so, we do not believe in any linguistic, religious or regional identity that discriminates or differentiates.”

“BJP believes that there may be different languages and costumes (in various states) but it is one country,” he said, adding, “presence of any language, regional or religious identity in a place is also a fact in India…This is also the strength of India,” he added.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray meanwhile declared that jobs in Maharashtra should be given to only those who were born in the state.

“We reject the thesis of the Shiv Sena. Mumbai belongs to all of India and all Indians are free to live and work in Mumbai,” Chidambaram said answering a question at a press conference in New Delhi.

He said the Government of Maharashtra was competent to handle the situation and the Centre would extend help if sought. “If the Government of Maharashtra seeks our advice, we will advise them but I am sure they are competent to manage the situation,” Chidambaram said.

“But, as a matter of policy, we reject the theses of the Shiv Sena and the MNS. These are pernicious theses and they have to be rejected,” he said.

Lending support to the RSS stand, BJP vice-president Shanta Kumar said, “What the RSS has said (that North Indians should be protected in Maharashtra) is absolutely correct. All over India, every countryman has rights and all political parties should respect this basic feeling among all Indians.”

A senior RSS leader Sheshadari Chari also echoed the views of organisation’s Chief Mohan Bhagwat on the issue.

“Every Indian should be protected everywhere, not only on Indian soil but also outside it. If Indians are attacked in Australia, even there they require to be protected. So it is not a question of North Indians being protected in Maharashtra and South Indians being protected in Delhi,” he said.

Hitting out at RSS leader Ram Madhav for telling Sangh cadres to protect North Indians in Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray said. “Ram Madhav should not worry about Mumbai issue and should not teach us patriotism and unity.”

“During 1992 Hindu-Muslim riots, Sena protected Hindus but where was RSS that time,” Uddhav said.

Ram Madhav should worry about south Indian states and teach Hindi in those states, Uddhav said.