Open letter to Mr. Raj Thackeray

Mr. Thackeray, the pain and pain in my throat and pain written this, because while thousands of soldiers stood on our borders, ready to sacrifice their lives for this country, I watched leaders like you, in which they ruthlessly waged war.

You repeatedly target non-Marathi Indians, especially those in northern India, and have been no longer political speech. Now, it has become a conventional attack on our souls. You are talking about Marathi Pride, but it is not a proud prejudice against the weapons of the Indians. Worse, it’s dangerous.

Have you ever stood in front of a three-color coffin? I have. As an army wife, I stood next to my mother in Bihar, father from Uttar Pradesh, sister from Rajasthan and wife from Jharkhand, all the mourning men who died for Maharashtra were like Manipur. None of them asked where their son would post. None of them asked whether their native language would say where the loved ones were bleeding.

Because for them, every corner of India is at home. Every Indian is a family.

When our soldiers put on their olive green uniforms and kissed their kids bye bye, they knew they might not return. They do it for all of us regardless of our language, region or religion.

But in your world, Mr. Thackeray, we suddenly become “outsiders”. Those who must be insulted, humiliated, beaten. It’s all because we dare to look for dignity, jobs or opportunities. But tell me, is immigration a crime? Or is it only committed a crime when it comes to people in northern India?

My husband and I went from Leh to Shillong, from Amritsar to Andaman. Everywhere in this country, I see the shared pride of being an Indian. In Army units, the accent may vary, the food may vary, but there is an unshakable patriotism.

However, when I heard your speech, I realized that the real danger to this country may not be throughout our borders, but deep in them, and no longer defeated for unity. When a soldier lays the foundation for every inch of life that protects our beautiful country, you seem to take it apart with your own words, politics and prejudice.

You have the right to retain Marathi, culture and spirit. India is powerful because of its diversity, not despite it. But not to insult other Indians. Not turning Maharashtra into a non-school area, those who speak Hindi, Bhojpuri or any other tongue.

The comics of you and those who reverberate your mindset stand before them as our heroic soldiers stand on the frontline.

My request is to sit down and reflect and try to use your politics to build rather than break it. Inspire pride and do not incite prejudice. The leadership that Maharashtra deserves reflects the courage of Lord Shiva, not the pain of division.

If our solder can be without bias, then you can be sure that you can be without hatred leadership.

India needs recovery. It does not require hatred.

Jai Hind.

End of the article