2008 attacks on North Indians in Maharashtra

The 2008 attacks on North Indians in Maharashtra began on February 3, 2008 after violent clashes between workers of two political parties—Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Samajwadi Party (SP)—at Dadar in Mumbai, capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. The clashes took place when workers of MNS, a splinter faction formed out of the Shiv Sena (a major political party of Maharashtra), tried to attack workers of SP, the regional party based in Uttar Pradesh, who were proceeding to attend a rally organised by the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA).cite news|title=Supporters of Raj Thackeray, Samajwadi Party clash|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/04/stories/2008020456251200.htm|quote=Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray’s continuing tirade against North Indians erupted in violence on Sunday. MNS workers tried to attack Samajwadi Party workers who were proceeding to attend a rally by the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA), which was addressed, among others, by the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mulayam Singh, at Shivaji Park here.|accessdate=2008-04-04|date=2008-02-04|author=Special correspondent|publisher="The Hindu"] Defending his party’s stand, MNS chief Raj Thackeray explained that the attack was a reaction to the "provocative and unnecessary show of strength" and "uncontrolled political and cultural "dadagiri" (bullying) of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar migrants and their leaders".

In the events leading to these clashes, Raj Thackeray had made critical remarks about migrants from the North Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, accusing them of spoiling Maharashtrian culture and not mingling with them. At political rallies held across the state, he questioned the loyalty of Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan towards Maharashtra, where he attained "fame and popularity", accusing him of showing "more interest" in his native Uttar Pradesh. He called the celebration of Chhath Puja by North Indian migrants a "drama" and a "show of arrogance".cite news|title=Raj Thackeray flays Amitabh for UP interests|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/feb/02raj.htm|date=2008-02-02|publisher=Rediff|accessdate=2008-04-07] cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1151247 |accessdate=2008-04-04 |title=Thackeray continues tirade against North Indians |publisher="Daily News & Analysis"|quote=It is the cultural hegemony which some North Indians want to impose on Maharashtrians that I oppose.]

On February 13, 2008, the state government, which was accused of reluctance to take immediate action, [cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080040577&ch=2/6/2008%209:11:00%20PM|title=Mumbai police soft on Raj?|publisher=NDTV|accessdate=2008-04-30|date=2008-02-06] ultimately arrested Raj Thackeray and Abu Asim Azmi (a local SP leader) on charges of instigation of violence and causing communal disturbance. Although released that same day, a gag order was imposed on both leaders to prevent them from making further inflammatory remarks. Meanwhile, tensions in Maharashtra rose as the news of Raj's possible arrest, and his subsequent actual arrest, angered his supporters. Incidences of violence against North Indians and their property by MNS workers were reported in Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad, Beed, Nashik, Amravati, Jalna, and Latur. Nearly 25,000 North Indian workers fled Pune,cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/25-000-North-Indian-workers-leave-Pune/276576/3/|accessdate=2008-04-06|title=25000 North Indian workers leave Pune|publisher="Indian Express"] cite news|title=25000 North Indians leave, Pune realty projects hit|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/25000_North_Indians_leave_Pune_realty_projects_hit_/articleshow/2809937.cms|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher="Times of India"] and another 15,000 fled Nashik in the wake of the attacks.cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2780795.cms|accessdate=2008-04-06|publisher="Times of India"|date=2008-02-14|title=Maha exodus: 10,000 north Indians flee in fear] cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/feb/13nasik1.htm|accessdate=2008-04-06|title=MNS violence: North Indians flee Nashik, industries hit|date=2008-02-13|publisher=Rediff] The exodus of workers caused an acute labour shortage, affecting local industries. Analysts estimated financial losses of INRConvert|500|c|0– INRConvert|700|c|0|nolink=yes. Although the violence receded after the arrests of the two leaders, sporadic attacks were reported until May 2008.

The attacks evoked critical reactions from various parts of the country, particularly the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar political leadership. Even Bal Thackeray, Raj's estranged uncle and chief of the Shiv Sena, who formed his party in 1966 to raise the voice of "Marathi manoos" (Marathi people), discounted his nephew's criticism of Bachchan as "stupidity".cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bal_Thackeray_backs_Amitabh/articleshow/2762395.cms |title=Bal Thackeray backs Amitabh|publisher="The Times of India"|accessdate=2008-04-06] cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Attacking-Amitabh-is-stupidity-Bal-Thackeray/269831/|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Attacking Amitabh is stupidity: Bal Thackeray|date=2008-02-06|publisher="The Indian Express"] In an editorial a month later in "Saamna", the Shiv Sena's political mouthpiece, however, Bal Thackeray wrote that Biharis antagonised local populations wherever they went and were an "unwelcome lot" throughout the country.cite news|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Mar62008/national2008030655820.asp |quote=Thackeray Sr. wrote that Biharis are "not wanted either in southern India, Assam and also Punjab and Chandigarh. The Biharis have antagonised local populations wherever they have settled. The Uttar Pradesh and Bihari MPs have shown their ingratitude towards Mumbai and Maharashtra with an anti-Marathi tirade in Parliament". |date=2008-03-06|accessdate=2008-04-04 |title=Thackeray rants against Biharis |publisher="Deccan Herald"] The media slated Bal's remarks as an attempt to recapture his party's "sons-of-soil" plank, being hijacked by Raj.cite news|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Biharis-unwanted-all-over-India-Bal-Thackeray/280678/|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher="Financial Express"|title=Biharis unwanted all over India: Bal Thackeray] [cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080306/main5.htm|accessdate=2008-04-04|date=2008-03-06|title=Bal Thackeray: Biharis unwanted everywhere|author=Shiv Kumar|date=2008-03-05|publisher=The Tribune]

Background

Raj Thackeray's resignation from Shiv Sena and the formation of MNS

On March 9, 2006, Raj Thackeray, nephew of Bal Thackeray, quit the Shiv Sena and formed the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) after being "sidelined" by the chief’s son Uddhav. [cite news|title=Raj resigns from Shiv Sena posts|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/11/28/stories/2005112813920100.htm|accessdate=2008-04-06|publisher="The Hindu"|date=2005-11-28] [cite news|url=http://specials.rediff.com/news/2005/dec/01sld1.htm |title=Raj Thackeray: The tiger cub|date=2005-12-01|publisher=Rediff|accessdate=2002-01-03] The "Shiv Sainiks" (Shiv Sena members) who supported Raj’s leadership, in contrast to his cousin Uddhav, joined the MNS. The party was founded on the ideology of being the benefactor of the local "Marathi Manoos" (Marathi people), an ideology that the party members felt the Shiv Sena had abandoned. Keeping in line with this, Raj has repeatedly demanded special job reservations for locals.cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/File_MNS_wants_job_quota_for_Marathis/articleshow/2938213.cms|title=MNS wants job quota for Marathis|date=2008-04-09|publisher="The Times of India"|accessdate=2008-06-10] A critic of the influx of migrants into the state, especially "Uttar Bhartiyas" (literally meaning "North Indians") predominantly from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, he has blamed the large-scale immigration of people from these economically backward states for causing a shortage of jobs for Maharashtrians. [cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-31926620080213?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Raj Thackeray arrested in Mumbai, gets bail|date=2008-02-13|publisher=Reuters]

Shiv Sena's move to appease migrants

Bal Thackeray's son Uddhav, who has been trying to project himself as Bal's successor after the out ouster of Raj, suffered major defeats in the 2005 Municipal elections. As a result, he shifted from the previous pro-Marathi agenda of "son-of-soil" to the inclusive stand of "Mee Mumbaikar" (We the people of Mumbai). Under this new banner, the Shiv Sena started focusing on appeasing the largely North Indian migrant population. [According to a survey conducted by the Government of Maharashtra, during the decade 1991–2001, the state witnessed a migration of 32.32 lakh people from other states of India. This was about 3.4% of the total state population. 28% of these migrants were from Uttar Pradesh and 7% were from Bihar. The survey noted that for every 5 people added to the population of Maharashtra during the decade 1991–2001, one person was from outside the state. In regards to Greater Mumbai, 54.8% (11.24 lakh) of the migrants were from other states.cref|Population Survey|1
*cnote|Population Survey|cite web|url=http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/ecoSurvey/ecoSurvey2005-06/eng/cha_3e.pdf|title=Population survey 2005–06|publisher=Government of Maharashtra|pages=148|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-06-07|work=Economic Survey Department] "The Times of India" summarised the cause of MNS's attacks—"There's a method in MNS's madness in attacking north Indians in Mumbai though, howsoever flawed it might be. Raj believes his cousin and Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray has been wooing the people from Bihar and UP—through a campaign he began back in 2005 with the inclusive call of "Mee Mumbaikar"—as his party's vote-bank. Uddhav's growing popularity with North Indians had been rankling Raj, who is losing ground and political relevance as evident in the MNS's performance in the last municipal elections."cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-2757003,prtpage-1.cms|title=Madness breaks out in Maharashtra over Raj remarks|date=05-02-2008|publisher="The Times of India"|accessdate=2001-12-31]

Raj’s criticism of Amitabh Bachchan

In January 2008, targeting Mumbai-resident Amitabh Bachchan at political rallies, Raj asserted that the actor was "more interested" in his native state Uttar Pradesh than Maharashtra. He expressed his disapproval of Amitabh's inaugurating a girls' school named after his daughter-in-law, actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, at Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh, rather than in Maharashtra. Bachchan was also criticised for choosing to run elections from his native state.cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Big_B_draws_Raj_Thackerays_ire_over_his_UP_interests/articleshow/2750611.cms|title=Big B draws Raj Thakeray's ire over 'UP interests'|publisher="The Times of India"|accessdate=2008-05-30] On February 2 at a party function at Dharavi in Mumbai, Raj said, "Though he [Amitabh] has become a star in Mumbai, his interest is in Uttar Pradesh. That is why he was trying to be an ambassador of UP rather than Maharashtra. That is why though he achieved everything in Mumbai, when it came to elections, Amitabh chose Uttar Pradesh".cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Big-Bs-UP-interest-irks-Raj-Thackeray/268236/|title=Big B’s 'UP interest' irks Raj Thackeray|date=2008-02-02|publisher="The Indian Express"|accessdate=2008-06-07]

Responding to Raj's accusations, the actor's wife and an SP MP Jaya Bachchan said that they (Bachchans) were willing to start a school in Mumbai, provided the MNS leader donated the land to build it. She told the media, "I heard that Raj Thackeray owns huge properties in Maharashtra, in Mumbai at Kohinoor Mills. If he is willing to donate land, we can start a school in the name of Aishwarya here".cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/I-dont-know-who-Raj-Thackeray-is-Jaya-Bachchan/268548/|title=I don't know who Raj Thackeray is: Jaya Bachchan|publisher="The Indian Express"|accessdate=2008-05-30] Amitabh, however, abstained from commenting on the issue.

Bal Thackeray refuted the allegations, saying, "Amitabh Bachchan is an open-minded person, he has great love for Maharashtra, and this is evident on many occasions. The actor has often said that Maharashtra and specially Mumbai has given him great fame and affection. He has also said that what he is today is because of the love people have given him. The people of Mumbai have always acknowledged him as an artiste. It was utter foolishness to make these parochial allegations against him. Amitabh is a global superstar. People all over the world respect him. This cannot be forgotten by anyone. Amitabh should ignore these silly accusations and concentrate on his acting". [cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/07/stories/2008020759011200.htm|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Bal Thackeray: Amitabh loves Maharashtra|date=2008-02-07|publisher="The Hindu"] According to some reports, Raj's censure of Amitabh, whom he supposedly admires, stemmed from his disappointment of not being invited to the wedding of Amitabh's son, Abhishek, despite invitations to his estranged uncle Bal and cousin Uddhav. [cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1149212|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Rift between Raj and Big B over a wedding invite|publisher="Daily News & Analysis"] [cite news|url=http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1226808|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Rift between Raj and Big B over a wedding invite|date=2008-02-05|publisher=MSN]

On March 23, Amitabh finally spoke out in an interview with a local tabloid, saying, "Random charges are random; they do not deserve the kind of attention you wish me to give".cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1157267|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher="Daily News & Analysis"|title=Amitabh breaks silence, dismisses Raj's charges against him] Later on March 28 at a press conference for the International Indian Film Academy, when asked what his take was on the anti-migrant issue, Amitabh said that it is one's fundamental right to live anywhere in the country and the constitution entitles so. [cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/mar/28ab.htm|title=Amitabh takes on Raj Thackeray|date=2008-03-28|publisher=Rediff|accessdate=2008-08-28] He also stated that he was not affected by Raj's comments. [cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200803281441.htm|accessdate=2008-04-04|date=2008-03-28|publisher="The Hindu"|title=Everyone has the right to freedom of expression: Bachchan ]

Raj’s remarks on Chhath Puja and migrants

In his party speeches, Raj had also reproached North Indian migrants on the celebration of Chhath Puja, a festival popular in Bihar, calling it a "drama" and a "show of arrogance". [cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/feb/03mns.htm|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Jaya takes on Raj; MNS, SP activists clash in Mumbai|date=2008-02-03|publisher="The Hindu"] He demanded that they must only celebrate Maharashtrian festivals. [cite news|url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/indiaabroad/20080203/r_t_ians_nl_politics/tnl-raj-thackeray-samajwadi-party-stando-a4b7bec_1.html|title=Raj Thackeray, Samajwadi Party standoff turns violent|publisher=Yahoo News|date=2008-02-03|accessdate=2008-07-05] A petition was filed in the Patna civil court on February 8 against him for his remarks over Chhath Puja. [cite news|url=http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=421796&sid=REG|title= Petition against Raj Thackeray in Patna court |accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher=Zee News] His statements drew flak from leaders of Bihar, especially Indian Railways minister and former chief minister of Bihar, Lalu Prasad Yadav, who challenged that he would come to Mumbai and perform Chhath Puja in front of Raj's house, also ridiculed Raj saying, "He [Raj] is a child in politics". [cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/feb/03mns.htm|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Jaya takes on Raj; MNS, SP activists clash in Mumbai|date=2008-02-03|publisher="The Hindu"] The Navnirman Sena leader accused migrants of swamping Maharashtra, India's most industrialised state, in search of jobs. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7242617.stm|title=Right-wing Mumbai leader arrested|publisher=BBC NEWS|date=2008-02-13|accessdate=2008-07-26]

The MNS chief had also accused migrants of disrespecting the local culture. On February 9, expressing his stance on newer migrants settling in Mumbai, Raj said, "New immigrants to the city should be denied entry into the city, while those already staying here should show respect to the Marathi 'manoos' and his culture". [cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/feb/09mumbai.htm|accessdate=2008-04-04|date=2008-02-09|publisher=Rediff|title='Respect Marathi manoos or leave Mumbai']

Clashes between MNS and SP workers

On February 3, 2008, MNS and SP workers indulged in street fighting after the former tried to attack the latter, who were proceeding to Shivaji Park, Dadar, in Mumbai to attend a rally organised by the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA), the ruling coalition party of India, of which the SP is a member. The rally was to be addressed by former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and other prominent members of the UNPA and SP.cite news|url=http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=422144&sid=NAT|title=Amid debate, Mumbai ready for UNPA rally|publisher=Zee News|date=2008-02-03|accessdate=2008-04-06] Police arrested 73 MNS and 19 SP workers after these clashes on charges of rioting. [cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/MNS_leader_Shishir_Shinde_detained_Report/articleshow/2758631.cms|title=MNS leader Shishir Shinde detained: Report|publisher="The Times of India"|accessdate=2008-04-26]

Raj justified his party's stand as a response to—"provocative and unnecessary show of strength" and "uncontrolled political and cultural "dadagiri" of the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar migrants and their leaders"—and questioned, "Do political movements need to obey the law?cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Do-political-movements-need-to-obey-the-law-What-about-Advani-rath-yatra-Modis-Godhra-outrage/276266/|title=Do political movements need to obey the law: Raj Thackeray|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher="The Indian Express"] On February 10 at a press conference, he issued a statement saying, "What happened in Mumbai in the past one week was only a reaction and if leaders of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar try to demonstrate their strength here, such reactions would recur".cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/10/stories/2008021060540100.htm |quote=What happened in Mumbai in the past one week was only a reaction and if leaders of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar try to demonstrate their strength here, such reactions would recur, he warned.|accessdate=2008-03-06|title= Raj Thackeray reiterates stand |publisher="The Hindu"|date=2008-02-10]

After the clashes, SP approached the Election Commission demanding de-registration of MNS. SP general secretary Amar Singh petitioned the Commission requesting action against the MNS and its leaders for issuing "veiled as well as open threats" against non-Maharashtrians.cite news|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Feb52008/scroll2008020550485.asp?section=updatenews|title=Mumbai continues to simmer|publisher="The Deccan Herald"|accessdate=2008-05-30]

Attacks

February

On February 3, immediately after clashes with SP, MNS workers assaulted North Indian taxi drivers and vandalised their vehicles in Dadar, Mumbai. The police faced strong criticism for remaining mute spectators as MNS workers assaulted North Indians. [cite news|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2008/February/subcontinent_February371.xml&section=subcontinent&col=|accessdate=2008-04-04|author=Nithin Belle|date=2008-02-13|title=MNS activist go on rampage|publisher="Khaleej Times"] A departmental inquiry was instituted against the police inaction. Inspector Motiram Kadam and sub-inspector Deepak Pawar, who were assigned duty at Dadar, were suspended for dereliction of duty.cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/07/stories/2008020758981200.htm|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher="The Hindu"|title=200 MNS activists back in Sena] Later, over 25 MNS workers were arrested on charges of rioting. [cite news|title=In Mumbai, North Indians attacked|publisher="The Times of India"|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/In_Mumbai_North_Indians_attacked/articleshow/2753922.cms|accessdate=2008-04-04] In the night, 150 suspected MNS activists ransacked Pratap talkies in Thane, pulled out the print of the Bhojpuri film "Saiyan se Solah Singaar" and burned it because Bhojpuri is the regional language spoken in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The rioters also damaged the theatre and destroyed the seats. A similar incident was reported in Nashik. [cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080204/main6.htm|accessdate=2008-04-04|date=2008-02-04|title=Violence in Mumbai, theatres attacked in Thane, Nashik|2008–02–03|publisher="The Tribune"]

The next day in Mumbai, two motorcycle-borne MNS supporters hurled bottles at Amitabh Bachchan's bungalow at Juhu. A group of MNS workers barged inside the booking office of the Grant Road railway station, damaged the booking office windows and tore off posters of a newly released Bhojpuri film put up there. Party workers resorted to stone throwing in some parts of Kandivli, a North-Mumbai suburb that has a sizable North Indian lower middle-class population. In the Central-Mumbai suburb of Bandra, a clash ensued when MNS workers tried to plant party flags at an open market dominated by North Indians. [cite news|url=http://www.aol.in/news/story/2008020413039012000004/index.html|title=Violence continues in Mumbai over North Indian remarks|date=2008-02-04|publisher=AOL|accessdate=2008-04-30]

The offices of Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari and North Indian Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam were stoned by MNS supporters on February 5.cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Police-contemplate-action-against-Raj-Thackeray/269760/4/|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Police contemplate action against Raj Thackeray|publisher="The Indian Express"] cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1149590|title=I want to talk it over with Raj: Manoj Tiwari|date-2008-02-07|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher="Daily News & Analysis"] Two days later, a group of 20 to 25 MNS activists forced themselves into the Central Mumbai office of the Bombay Taximen's Union, where they assaulted office staff and damaged property. In response to the attack, the 55,000-strong Union immediately called for a flash strike. [cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/web/guest/news/national/article?_EXT_5_articleId=970738&_EXT_5_groupId=14|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Mumbai taxis go on flash strike after attack on union office|date=2008-02-07|publisher="Mid-day"] [cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/MNS-attacks-again-Mumbai-taxi-men-go-on-strike/270244/|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=MNS attacks again, taxi men go on strike|publisher="The Indian Express"|date=] The strike was then called off after R. R. Patil, the Home Minister of Maharashtra, assured the Union of justice and safety.cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/bMumbai-taximen-call-off-strike-following-Govt-assurance-b/270281/|title=Mumbai taximen call off strike following Govt assurance|date=2008-02-07|publisher="The Indian Express"|accessdate=2008-06-06] An advocate named Arvind Shukla filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the Election Commission to derecognise MNS in view of its "anti-national activities". [cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1149649|title=PIL filed against Raj Thackeray in SC|publisher="Daily News & Analysis"|date=2008-02-07|accessdate=2008-04-30]

On February 12, MNS workers attacked vendors and shopkeepers from North India in various parts of Maharashtra and destroyed government property to vent their anger against the reported move to arrest Raj.cite news|url=http://ibnlive.com/news/antimigrant-violence-spreads-beyond-mumbai/58750-3.html |title=Anti-migrant violence spreads beyond Mumbai |accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher=CNN IBN] Sporadic violence was reported in Beed and Aurangabad. State-run buses in these areas were stone-pelted, resulting in the arrest of several MNS workers. In Nashik, MNS workers vandalised several shops belonging to North Indians, forcing other shops and business establishments to close down. One shopkeeper was severely beaten and was admitted to Nashik General Hospital. Banks and schools promptly closed after these incidents. Stone pelting by angry mobs was also reported from the city's Shalimar and Bytco squares, and the Satpur and Ambad industrial areas remained closed. Nashik police detained 26 MNS workers after the violence. Six municipal cooperators were also put under preventive arrest. Additional police pickets were deployed in various parts of the city, including Shalimar and Ambad Chowk, Satpur, Nashik Road, the MNS head office at Mumbai Naka and some of the city suburbs. In Pune, MNS workers pelted stones on state-run buses and attacked a few shop owners in Pune's Laxmi Road area, prompting shops to shut down to avoid similar attacks.

The Mumbai Police announced its move to put Raj under their custody on February 13, which created an upsurge of violence in the state and led to two deaths. Attacks on North Indians were reported from Mumbai, Pune, Jalna, Beed, Aurangabad and Latur. Shops, offices and other business establishments were shut down in different parts of Mumbai, as MNS workers threatened violence in case their leader was arrested. Central Mumbai localities were most affected, especially around Dadar and Shivaji Park, the strongholds of both the MNS and the Shiv Sena. The police blocked roads in front of the residence of Raj in the Shivaji Park area. A civic activist named James John was assaulted by suspected MNS workers while he was attempting to photograph them forcing shop owners to down shutters in JB Nagar, Andheri. John suffered two rib fractures and bruises on his lungs. [cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Civic-activist-assaulted-while-clicking-photos-of-protestors-forcing-shops-shut-in-Andheri/273260/|title=Civic activist assaulted while clicking photos of protestors forcing shops shut in Andheri|date=2008-02-05|publisher="The Indian Express"|accessdate=2002-01-01] In Nashik, an employee of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, a Maharashtrian, died during a stone pelting on state-run buses by MNS supporters. [cite news|url= http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/14/stories/2008021460321200.htm|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Nashik town is the worst hit in Maharashtra|publisher="The Hindu"|date=2008-02-14] A migrant from Bihar, who was a security guard with a private company at Igatpuri in Nashik district, was killed by a mob. [cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Maharashtrians-will-react-to-Lalus-Chhat-Puja-plan-MNS/273366/|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher="The Indian Express"|title=Maharshtrian will react to Lalu’s Chhat Puja plan]

In Mumbai and Aurangabad, police rounded up more than 400 MNS workers.cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2777680.cms|publisher=The Times of India|accessdate=2008-04-10|title=Violence spreads beyond Mumbai|date=2008-02-13] In Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, MNS workers went on a rampage following the arrest of Raj, smashing windows and windscreens of eleven state buses. Thirteen rioters were arrested. They also chopped off both hands of a Bihari hawker sleeping on the streets. He was severely beaten until he fell unconscious. When he gained consciousness the following day, he found himself in a hospital with both hands amputated. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7287007.stm|title=India's victims of anti-migrant anger|author= Amarnath Tewary|publisher=BBC NEWS|date=2008-03-10|accessdate=2008-08-28] The injured, mainly hawkers, were treated at the Nashik Civil Hospital after they were beaten. Shops along Nashik Road closed down after the incident. Incidents of stone pelting on state-run buses were reported from the Nashik Road, Ambad, Ravivar Peth, and Gangapur areas. Bus services were severely curtailed and diverted via Nipani. In Amrawati, MNS workers blocked roads and pelted stones at buses, damaging several vehicles in the process. Though contingents of the Rapid Action Force and the Central Industrial Security Force were deployed in many parts of the state, the police could not control violence by the MNS who adopted hit-and-run methods of attack.cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080214/main1.htm|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher="The Tribune"|title=End of Raj days; held, bailed out|date=2008-02-13] More than 200 activists of the MNS were arrested across Nashik. Many activists went underground and coordinated with party activists from undisclosed locations.

March–May

The attacks simmered down after mid-February due to the arrest and imposition of a gag order on Raj. Isolated cases of attacks, however, were reported until April 2008. On March 22, six North Indians were beaten up by a group of Holi revelers, suspected to be MNS workers, in Santa Cruz, Mumbai. [cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/6_North_Indians_thrashed_by_MNS_men/articleshow/2892825.cms|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Six North Indians thrashed by MNS men|publisher="The Times of India"] On the same day, a shop owned by a North Indian was ransacked by a group of 10 – 15 drunken men, who pelted stones and beat his children because they had refused to provide free food. [cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/North_Indian_shop_ransacked_by_mob/articleshow/2892788.cms|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher="The Times of India"|title=North Indian shop ransacked by mob] On March 29, motorcycle-borne assailants damaged at least five taxis owned by North Indians in Central Mumbai. Four people were arrested. [cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/N_Indians_attacked_again_in_Mumbai/articleshow/2908977.cms|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=North Indians attacked again in Mumbai|publisher="The Times of India"] [cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080045337&ch=3/29/2008%209:31:00%20AM|accessdate=2008-04-04|date=2008-03-29|publisher=NDTV|title=North Indian taxi drivers attacked in Mumbai] Four labourers travelling on the Konkan Kanya Express from Thane to Margao in search of jobs were beaten and looted by some men in Raigad district after being identified as North Indians on April 1. [cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1158427|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher="Daily News & Analysis"|title=North Indians thrashed on Konkan Kanya Express|author=Vijay V Singh |date=2008-04-03] Then on May 30, a group of North Indians was injured when a mob of approximately 800 MNS activists attacked them at a meeting organised by the SP and some other North Indians fronts. Five North Indians were critically injured in the attack, and the police arrested 35 MNS activists after the incident.cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/North_Indians_attacked_in_Mumbai/articleshow/3084047.cms|title=North Indians attacked in Mumbai, 5 injured|date=2008-05-30|publisher="The Times of India"|accessdate=2008-06-10]

Arrests of Raj Thackeray and Abu Asim Azmi

Raj Thackeray and SP leader Abu Asim Azmi were booked under Indian Penal Code sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 153 A (promoting enmity between groups on the basis of place of birth, residence, etc.) and 153 B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) on February 11. The police also applied section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code to both politicians and warned them not to hold any press conferences or rallies in the next seven days. [cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1150285|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher="Daily News & Analysis"|date=2008-02-11|title=Police act at last, book Raj & Azmi|author=Somendra Sharma] On February 13, however, police arrested both the leaders. Later that day, a local court granted Raj conditional bail and ordered him not to make any speeches that would inflame public tension. He obtained a release after furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 15,000. Azmi was arrested and taken to the Bhoiwada court in South Central Mumbai and was released on surety of Rs. 10,000.cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2780007.cms|title=Raj Thackeray arrested, released on bail|date=2008-02-13|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher="The Times of India"]

Raj appealed before the court against the gag order imposed on him, stating that he had to move around different places in Maharashtra for propounding the philosophy of his party and that such an order was an infringement of his 'fundamental rights'.cite news|url=http://www.aol.in/news/story/2008022203589026000011/index.html|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Supreme asks Raj Thackeray to shut up|date=2008-02-22|publisher=AOL] On February 22, the court dismissed his appeal to re-track the extension of the gag order passed against him, following which MNS started a signature campaign to get support against the gag order. According to MNS, Maharashtrian actors Nana Patekar and Shreyas Talpade had shown support in opposing the gag order, along with actors Salman Khan and Suneil Shetty. Salman Khan and Suneil Shetty, however, later denied the MNS's claim.cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200803071758.htm|title=Salman denies supporting 'dear friend' Raj over gag order|publisher="The Hindu"|accessdate=2008-06-08] cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1156773|title=Suniel, Mithun wash hands off anti-migrant campaign|last=Tare|first=Kiran|publisher="Daily News & Analysis"|accessdate=2008-06-08] cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/mar/07salman.htm|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Salman denies backing Raj Thackeray|date=2008-03-07|publisher=Rediff] This move by MNS prompted the police to serve a show cause notice to Raj, asking him why the gag order should not be extended.cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Salman_Khan_Suneil_Shetty_oppose_gag_on_Raj_Thackeray/articleshow/2837932.cms|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Salman Khan, Suneil Shetty oppose gag on Raj Thackeray|publisher="The Times of India"]

Over 1,800 activists were put under arrest for substantive offenses and as a preventive measure since violence had erupted on the streets of Mumbai on February 13, according to the Joint Commissioner of Mumbai Police (Law and Order), K. L. Prasad. [cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Mumbai-limps-back-to-normalcy/272984/|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher="The Indian Express"|title=Mumbai limps back to normalcy]

Expression of displeasure by the Supreme Court

On February 22, while hearing two Public Interest Litigations, the Supreme Court of India termed the attacks on North Indians in Mumbai by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena activists as "a dangerous trend". The three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, and Justices R V Ravindran and Markandey Katju observed,

"It [attack on North Indians] is a very dangerous tendency. What is happening there [Mumbai] , we can understand. These [who were attacked] are innocent people. We understand the situation there [in Maharashtra] and what is happening. This is one country and we will not accept son-of-soil theory. We will not permit Balkanisation of this country." [cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1152285|title=Supreme court rap for Raj Thackeray|author=Rakesh Bhatnagar |date=2008-02-22|accessdate=2008-05-06|publisher="Daily News & Analysis"]

The court passed the judgement while hearing two Public Interest Litigations on related issues. While the first, filed by advocate Arvind Shukla, had sought direction to the Election Commission to derecognise Mr Raj Thackeray’s MNS for his controversial remarks against North Indians, the other one, filed by RU Upadhyay, sought protection for the North Indians in Maharashtra and compensation to those who had suffered from the attacks. The court, however, refused to pass any direction on the grounds that the issue was related to the aspect of law and order, and it thus directed the petitioners to have faith in the Bombay High Court and seek further hearing there.cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/PoliticsNation/Sons_of_the_soil_theory_gets_Supreme_flak/articleshow/2806197.cms|title=Sons of the soil theory gets Supreme flak|date=February 23, 2008|publisher=The Economic Times|accessdate=2008-07-03]

In another apparent rebuff to Raj Thackeray, the Supreme Court asserted that every Indian has the right to settle anywhere in the country.cite news|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Indians-have-right-to-settle-anywhere-in-country/284542/|title=‘Indians have right to settle anywhere in country’|date=2008-03-14|publisher="The Financial Express"|accessdate=2008-06-08] cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080317/edit.htm#1|title=The supreme snub: Thackerays of the world put in their place|date=2008-03-17|work=Tribune Editorial|publisher="The Tribune"|accessdate=2008-06-07] A bench consisting of Justices H K Sema and Markandey Katju remarked,

"India is not an association or confederation of states, it is a union of state and there is only one nationality that is Indian. Hence every Indian has a right to go anywhere in India, to settle anywhere, and work and do business of his choice in any part of India peacefully."cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/SC_upholds_right_to_settle_anywhere_in_the_country/rssarticleshow/2867369.cms|title=SC upholds right to settle anywhere in the country|date=2008-03-15|publisher="The Economic Times"|accessdate=2008-06-08]

The apex court made the observation while upholding the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's move to ban the sale of meat in the town during the nine-day "Paryushan festival" observed by the Jain community. [cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/storypage/storypage.aspx?id=bd118429-1562-41b7-b862-b6f9daf4ba81&ParentID=bced4ce0-d738-4ca1-9ecb-bd81e49f8754&&Headline='Citizens+can+settle+anywhere+in+India'|title=Citizen has right to live anywhere in the country: SC|publisher="The Hindustan Times"|accessdate=2008-05-06|date=2008-03-14]

Exodus of North Indians from Maharashtra

Nashik

The news of Raj's possible arrest provoked a heightened attack on the North Indians in the industrial town of Nashik in Maharashtra, Raj's political stronghold. [cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080041574&ch=2/18/2008%204:39:00%20PM|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Nashik's economy suffers as migrants flee|author=Imtiaz Jaleel|date=2008-02-18|publisher=NDTV] cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1150680|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher="Daily News & Analysis"|date=2008-02-13|title=Nearly 10,000 North Indians flee from Nashik] North Indians left the city by buses, trains and private vehicles. Railway officials at Nashik station said that this was the largest crowd using the railroad since the Sinhasta Kumbha Mela in 2003–2004. It was perhaps one of the largest exoduses from a single district in the country ever. [cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Maha_exodus_10000_North_Indians_flee_in_fear/articleshow/2780795.cms|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Maha exodus:10000 North Indians flee in fear|publisher="The Times of India"] Chhagan Bhujbal, Nashik’s guardian minister, reported that 15,000 migrant workers had left the city in the aftermath of the violence against North Indians. [cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Nashik_exodus_continues/articleshow/2790374.cms|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Nashik exodus continues|publisher="The Times of India"]

Pune

In Pune, an estimated 25,000 workers left the city in the wake of the attacks, according to government officials. Pune's District Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar and Collector Prabhakar Deshmukh held meetings of various people's representatives to stop the mass departure. They were joined by local Congress MP Suresh Kalmadi, who picketed at Pune railway station to allay fears of those boarding the trains with their family members, carrying their meager belongings.

Effects on local industries

Local industries in Nashik, especially those located in the Ambad Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation area, were affected due to the large-scale departure of migrant workers. According to a report, 40 percent small and medium industries in the Ambad industrial area had been closed down due to the migration. Though the local industries at Nashik are ancillary units, they provide material to big industries such as Mahindra and Mahindra and Crompton Greaves. Losses resulting from the exodus were estimated to be Rs. 500 – 700 crore.

In Pune, where the construction industry was badly hit, some local organisations, working for porters, construction workers and casual labourers, tried to stop the exodus. These organisations set up a National Integration Committee (NIC) and charted out confidence-building measures among the migrants in the city. One of the resolutions passed at the meeting was to encourage participation of the North Indians in all festivities in the near future. In fact, ninety percent of the labour force in Pune consists of migrants; 60 percent of these come from Bihar and UP. It was also feared that the stoppage of construction activities would adversely affect the plans of hosting certain events of the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games to be held in the city.

On September 8, 2008, Infosys Technologies announced that 3,000 employee positions had been shifted from Pune to Chennai, due to construction delays caused earlier that year by the attacks on North Indian construction workers. [ [http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=14754530 Pune loses 3,000 jobs as Infy looks at Chennai] Sify]

Political reactions

The attacks evoked severe responses from political parties and their leaders, particularly of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Mayawati, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, accused the Congress-ruled Maharashtra government of failing to prevent the attacks. She demanded centre intervention to protect the lives and properties of North Indians in the state. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said "Mumbai ujad jayega" (Mumbai will be ruined)". In response to the attacks on taxi drivers and vendors, he added, "What will happen in Mumbai if taxis go off the roads? Mumbai will come to a standstill".Lalu Prasad Yadav on February 5, 2008, took up the issue of attacks on North Indians with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and demanded action against those involved in them.cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/feb/05lalu.htm|title=Attacks on north Indians: Lalu speaks to PM|date=2008-02-05|publisher=Rediff] Commenting on Raj Thackeray, Lalu Prasad said, "He is desperate and such type of leader will never be successful in the country. The Government should take action against him and his supporters".

In the national capital, Delhi, political and social organisations launched street protests and burnt Raj's effigy, while members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s Poorvanchal cell held a demonstration demanding that the dismissal of the Maharashtra government. In Allahabad, SP workers tried to obstruct the movement of trains in protest. In Uttar Pradesh's capital, Lucknow, Nationalist Congress Party activists burnt an effigy of Raj. In Patna, capital of Bihar, RJD's youth wing staged a demonstration against Raj and the MNS. Thackeray's effigies were burnt also in Jamshedpur in the state of Jharkhand.cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Govt_hesitates_to_take_on_Raj/articleshow/2757060.cms|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Govt hesitates to take on Raj|publisher="The Times of India"]

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh condemned Raj's actions and promised to protect migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and at the same time warned SP from hijacking the situation for political mileage. The Nationalist Congress Party, a key member of the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, also criticised Raj Thackeray and said the campaign was a "cheap publicity stunt". [cite news|url=http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=422472&sid=NAT|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=NCP's response to attacks|publisher=Zee News] On February 6, 2008 about 200 MNS party workers quit their party and re-joined Shiv Sena, to protest against the MNS's anti-North Indian agenda. [cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/200_members_quit_MNS_join_Shiv_Sena/articleshow/2761371.cms|title=Fed up with MNS, 200 members join Shiv Sena |accessdate=2008-04-04|date=2008-02-06|publisher="The Times of India"]

On March 9, Congress President Sonia Gandhi declared that there should be no leniency towards those stoking regional and communal passions. "Unity and integrity are the basic conditions for progress of the nation and to fight terrorism. There should be no leniency towards those who seek to discriminate on the basis of religion and region," Sonia Gandhi said.cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1155179|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=No leniency for those stoking regionalism, communalism: Sonia|publisher="Daily News & Analysis"|date=2008-03-09] She asserted that the country belongs to all with equal rights to it, and that it is the responsibility of all to ensure security of life and property of every citizen in any part of the country.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Lal Krishna Advani of the BJP criticising the attacks commented, "No political party should say or do anything that weakens the country's unity or undermines the Constitution". [cite news|title=Attack on north Indians unacceptable: Advani|date=2008-02-12|publisher="The Times of India"|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Attack_on_north_Indians_unacceptable_Advani/rssarticleshow/2774966.cms] BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar alleged that the Congress State government deliberately delayed taking any action when the attacks on North Indians began in Mumbai. He said that he suspected Congress had a strategy to divide Maharashtrian and non-Maharashtrian votes, by creating a feeling of insecurity among non-Maharashtrians in the hope that they would vote for the Congress. He blamed the party for trying to divert people's attention from more critical problems that Maharashtra faces, such as the agrarian crisis and load shedding. He added, "India is one and every Indian has a right to settle down and work in any part of the country". [cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/14/stories/2008021455521200.htm|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=BJP blames Congress for Maharashtra violence|publisher="The Hindu]

The Communist Party of India demanded stringent action against those inciting violence and asked democratic forces to launch a united struggle against such elements. The party also accused the media, particularly the electronic media, of encouraging anti-national and parochial forces by giving them "undue publicity". According to a resolution adopted at its 20th national Congress at Hyderabad, no adequate action was against those who indulge in chauvinistic slogans and perpetuate hooliganism, and the ruling Congress-led coalition and the opposition BJP utilised these forces for their local political gains. The resolution also said, "Opportunistic, parochial and chauvinistic" forces like Shiv Sena and MNS have exploited the situation for narrow electoral gains and demanded compensation for those affected by the violence. The resolution stated that in 1966, Bal Thackeray gave anti-South Indian slogans and now his nephew wants to repeat that experience by giving anti-North Indian slogans.cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=c9901eb3-8b42-4bee-8dae-51c9996647d7&ParentID=d820b0ed-c03b-4489-8073-a52e242bbaaa&MatchID1=4678&TeamID1=6&TeamID2=3&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1179&PrimaryID=4678&Headline=CPI+condemns+MNS+anti-North+Indian+campaign|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=CPI condemns MNS anti-North Indian campaign|publisher="The Hindustan Times"] The All India Minorities Front (AIMF) threatened to launch a nation-wide agitation against Raj if he did not mend his ways and avoid targeting North Indians and non-Maharashtrians. [cite news|url=http://www.khabarexpress.com/2/13/2008/All-India-Minorities-Front-gives-72-hours-to-Raj-Thackeray-to-mend-his-ways-news_13207.html|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=All India Minorities Front gives 72 hours to Raj Thackeray to mend his ways|publisher="Khabar Express"]

Media's coverage and response

The anti-North Indian violence was labeled as a 'tirade against North Indians' by sections of the national media ("The Hindu",cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/04/stories/2008020456251200.htm |title=Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s tirade against North Indians take new turn|publisher="The Hindu"|accessdate=2008-04-04] "The Times of India", [cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Shah_Rukh_Khan_bats_for_migrants_in_Mumbai/articleshow/2777486.cms|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher="The Times of India"|title=Shah Rukh bats for migrants in Mumbai] "Deccan Herald", [cite news|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Feb172008/national2008021752746.asp|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Tirade against north Indians continues|date=2008-02-17|publisher="Deccan Herald"] "Hindustan Times", [cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=9ff9aecf-253f-445b-9db6-5df52c8f51bb|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Saga of anti-north Indian tirade continues|publisher="The Hindustan Times"|date=2008-03-07] "The Economic Times")cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Property__Cstruction/Tirade_against_North_Indians_affects_construction_industry/articleshow/2800637.cms|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Tirade against North Indians affects construction industry|publisher="The Economic Times"|date=2008-02-28|title=Tirade against north Indians affects construction industry] and international media ("Khaleej Times",. The "Hindustan Times" published a survey on the front page on February 15, which said that 73 percent of Mumbai believed the insular line of the MNS and its president against North Indians was denting Mumbai’s cosmopolitan image. The "Hindustan Times" later received a call from the MNS spokesperson Shirish Parkar protesting the findings of the study.cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.in/storypage/storypage.aspx?id=c2a80d2c-1068-4517-9412-366a1e83c1ff&&Headline='Raj+ruining+Mumbai%e2%80%99s+cosmo+character'|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Raj ruining Mumbai’s cosmo character: survey|date=2008-02-17|publisher="The Hindustan Times"] Raj blamed the English and Hindi language media of being biased against him and his party.cite news|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?section=subcontinent&xfile=data/subcontinent/2008/february/subcontinent_february276.xml|accessdate=2008-04-04|author=Nithin Belle|title=Defaint Raj renews tirade against N. Indian ‘dadagiri’|publisher="Khaleej Times"|date=2008-02-10] In addition, some held the media responsible of giving Raj undue publicity. According to an SMS/web poll conducted by CNN IBN, 88 percent of the voters were of the opinion that Raj Thackeray was "feeding on media hype". On February 11, in Pune, a group of about 15 MNS activists burnt 150 copies of "The Week", a weekly magazine in English, in reaction to its cover story on Raj's controversial utterances, portraying him as Mumbai's Hitler.cite web|url=http://week.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/theWeekContent.do?sectionName=Current+Events&contentId=3583329&programId=1073754900&pageTypeId=1073754893&contentType=EDITORIAL&BV_ID=@@@|title=Bail me out! |publisher="The Week"|accessdate=2008-05-26]

The Editor-in-Chief of "Outlook", Vinod Mehta, said in a debate on the media's role in the situation, "Here is a politician [Raj Thackeray] propounding an idea that could lead to a civil war in the country. The doctrine had to be challenged and what could the media have done? While you may argue that some images were in excess, you will also agree we had to report because this fight to the streets". Ending the debate on a sarcastic note Mehta said, "It's ridiculous! The politicians are not responsible, the state government isn't responsible, police are not to be blamed but media is responsible".cite news|url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/indiabroadcast/20080213/r_t_ibn_nl_general/tnl-raj-govt-or-media-who-did-mumbai-in-3a4f8c1.html|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Raj, govt or media:Who did Mumbai in?|publisher=Yahoo India|date=2008-02-13]

Quotation
There is no denying that civic amenities in Mumbai are cracking under the added pressure of a migrant population seeking the riches of India's commercial capital. The solution cannot be wielding a "lathi" or a sword. Nor can it be in jingoistic expressions of Marathi pride or North Indian chest thumping. Mumbai will do well to remember how the city came together during the train blasts (11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings). No one asked then, who is a migrant and who is a Maharashtrian. It's dangerous to solve administrative problems with ethnic quick fixes.| CNN IBN's editorial

Local vernacular media

The Marathi daily "Maharashtra Times" editorial on Raj's arrest said that his arrest was a big farce, from which he emerged with pomp and style. It condemned the violence that resulted after the arrest that forced thousands of migrant workers to uproot themselves from various parts of Maharashtra.cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1151881|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher="Daily News & Analysis"|title=About Raj’s arrest, the drama, and violence thereafter|author=Neeta Kolhatkar|date=2008-02-20] "Loksatta" criticised the television channels for their relentless replay of just two instances to portray the violent impact of his arrest. The edit blamed Hindi channels for making Mumbai look like Gujarat during the 2002 Gujarat riots. Another editor in the same daily also wrote that the "Marathi andolan" (Marathi demonstration) will not benefit any party, as the Marathi vote would be divided between the Shiv Sena and MNS. "Lokmat", another popular Marathi daily, published a special on a population survey conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), according to which, there has been a 21% decrease in the migrant population in the city since 1961. The North Indian population, however, witnessed an increase from 12 to 24 percent. "Saamna"’s editorial asked what wrong Ambadas Bararao, the Maharashtrian man killed in the violence, had committed. The editor of "Sakal" wrote that although Raj had gained political mileage by taking up the cause of Marathi people, its impact was severe on the migrants, who had to flee the state.

Cquotetxt|A guest is welcomed if he adjusts himself to the host's house. But if he tries to change the host's house through "dadagiri", we won't tolerate it. And no means no!

I am proud of my workers for their struggle! Please don't call it 'Rada' (hooliganism) by giving old and historic references. They hit the streets to protect their own language and culture. Police are visiting their houses again and again and beating them up like cattle to punish them for protecting their language and culture.

They are tolerating it quietly. For whom? For Maharashtra! For India! It is fashionable for intellectuals here to blame my party for the unsolved problem of Marathi identity. But am I or my party responsible for it?^* |Excerpt from Raj Thackeray's letter to "Lokmat" in response to Sudheendra Kulkarni's letter| [cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Do-political-movements-need-to-obey-the-law-What-about-Advani-rath-yatra-Modis-Godhra-outrage/276266|title=Raj Thackeray's response to Sudheendra Kulkarni's letter|publisher="The Indian Express"|accessdate=2008-06-22]
* Translated in English (original text in Marathi)

Nikhil Wagle, Editor-in-Chief of Lokmat TV, on the day of Raj's arrest said in an interview with CNBC India that the Mumbai police should have acted against Raj Thackeray and Abu Azmi earlier. He said, "Had they acted, there would have been no violence. I think the police reacted a little late." He expressed his apprehensions about the Shiv Sena stirring up some trouble to compete with Raj Thackeray as he had put the Sena on the back foot. "Raj Thackeray has stolen the show from Uddhav Thackeray. I think Bal Thackeray will be worried and he will create some trouble. He might give some provocative statements. So, the police have to be observant otherwise it will be a fight between the two brothers and Maharashtra and Mumbai will suffer." [cite news|url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/current-affairs/shiv-sena-willtheir-ante-now-ibn-lokmat/05/14/326066|title=Shiv Sena will up their ante now: IBN Lokmat|publisher=Moneycontrol|accessdate=2008-06-20]

Political analysis

Political observers commented that the attacks on North Indians by MNS were a "shrewd ploy" of their chief Raj to embarrass the Shiv Sena and usurp its core Marathi constituency. They also felt Raj was trying to gain a political foothold by imitating his uncle and political mentor Bal Thackeray, who had headed the anti-South Indian campaign—"Lungi Bhagao, Pungi Bajao" (throw out those who wear lungis, celebrate by blowing bugles) [cite news|date=2008-02-13|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/13/stories/2008021354841200.htm|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher="The Hindu"|title=Maharashtra government ‘soft’ on Raj Thackeray’s outfit, says BJP] —during the formative years of the Shiv Sena in the 1960s. [cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Interviews/Raj_Srikant_Thackeray_The_Raja_of_regionalism/rssarticleshow/msid-2775114,curpg-2.cms|publisher="The Economic Times"|title=Raj Srikant Thackeray: The Raja of Regionalism|quote= Imitation, they say, is the best form of flattery. Balasaheb Thackeray doesn’t seem to be flattered, nor amused, at his nephew trying his 1960s’ recipe. |accessdate=2008-04-04] [cite news|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main37.asp?filename=Ne160208old_grouses.asp|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Old Grouses, New Targets
publisher="Tehelka"|date=2008-02-16] [cite news|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1811/18110440.htm|accessdate=2008-04-04|work=Frontline|publisher=The Hindu Group|author=Praveen Swami|title=A xenophobic agenda] [cite news|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?col=&section=opinion&xfile=data/opinion/2008/February/opinion_February60.xml|accessdate=2008-04-04|author=Praful Bidwai|title=Bringing communal bullies to book|date=2008-02-16|publisher="Khaleej Times"] [cite news|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main37.asp?filename=Ne160208brink_politics.asp|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Brink Politics In Maximum City|publisher="Tehelka"|date=2008-02-16] [cite news|url=http://www.frontline.in/fl2025/stories/20031219008601500.htm|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Diversionary tactics|work=Frontline|publisher=The Hindu Group] [cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/story/268937.html|title=|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher="The Indian Express"|title=Mumbaikar vs Mumbai|author=Amrita Shah|date=2008-02-05]

Kumar Ketkar, the editor of the Marathi daily "Loksatta", said though Raj might have achieved what he wanted, but he may have not anticipated the attention it would get. He said, "He thought the media would gobble it up and just create a small storm that will shift the agenda. But the great Amar Singh and Abu Azmi fuelled the issue by taking him more seriously than what he deserves. The confrontational position aided the MNS volunteers to get into the limelight". Ketkar also said the Shiv Sena would lose in the scenario commenting, "The Sena tried to woo the North Indians after it realised their value as a vote bank in the 2004 defeat. They realised that the demography of the city had changed within a decade. That is when they decided it was time to please the North Indians. Uddhav started organising "Uttar Bharatiya" functions. This is the year that he bore the fruits of his efforts. That is why Raj decided to strike at the same sentiment that the Sena played in the past—the "Marathi Manoos"."cite news|title=Anaylsis: What drove Raj Thackeray’s party to violence|author=Krishnakumar P|date=2008-02-08|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/feb/08mns.htm|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher=Rediff]

The author of "The Sena Story", Vaibhav Purandare, said Raj resorted to this measure to stem his party's eroding credibility. He said, "When Raj launched his party, he first started out with an inclusive approach. When he found that it is not working, he had to do something drastic to get back into the limelight. On the other hand, the Sena was actually becoming inclusive. It even began attracting Muslims into its fold. It also began taking up the common man's issues like farmer suicides and power supply. This is Raj's attempt to take the Sena's mass base away to completely embarrass the Sena. And he has succeeded." Both Ketkar and Purandare, however, agreed that Raj was trying to position himself as Bal Thackeray's potential successor.

Resumption of verbal attacks

Raj Thackeray

While still under the gag order, in an interview with the Marathi weekly magazine "Lok Prabha" of the Indian Express group, Raj was quoted as saying: "We will go with folded hands and ask them [North Indians] to leave. If they refuse, then we will raise our hands." Lok Prabha editor Pravin Tokekar said: "The MNS chief has technically not made any inflammatory statement. Even when he says he and his party would go with folded hands to people asking them to leave and only raise hands if they refuse, he treads the ground gingerly without naming any community or party per se". On March 3, at a party function organized by the MNS at Shivaji Park, after the expiry of the gag order, Raj announced, "I have not given up my mission", thus signaling to his supporters of continuing his stance on the migrant issue.cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1157519|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=DNA1157519|title=Raj promises more of the same|date=2008-03-25|author=Kiran Tare|publisher="Daily News & Analysis"]

Then on May 3, despite legal warnings by the police before his rally, Raj issued a diktat to his supporters to take action whenever they encountered "injustice". At a rally at Shivaji Park, he said, "That north Indians are living in Mumbai is because of our mercy. Let it be known". He told MNS leaders to shed their complacence and advised his supporters to "take action" whenever they felt necessary. He warned that North Indians who did not speak Marathi and did not respect Marathi culture would be driven away. Raj dared the police in his speech by saying, "Arrest me for this if you can". [cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/File_Raj_targets_North_Indians_dares_govt_to_arrest_him/articleshow/3008198.cms|title=Raj targets North Indians, Big B|date=2008-05-03|publisher="The Times of India"|accessdate=2008-05-09] After analysing the speech amidst demand for action against the MNS chief a senior police official quoted it was "difficult to find an explicit threat or provocation" in the text of his speech to initiate strong legal action against him and "it seems he [Raj] consulted legal experts before making the speech".cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/File_Hard_to_find_threat_in_Rajs_speech_Police/articleshow/3012858.cms |title= Hard to find threat in Raj's speech:Mumbai Police |publisher="The Times of India"|accessdate=2008-05-09]

Bal Thackeray

On March 6, Bal Thackeray issued an editorial titled "Ek Bihari, Sau Bimari" [cite news|title=Now, it’s Bal Thackeray’s turn to rail against Biharis|author=Ganesh Kanate|coauthor=Shubhangi Khapre|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1154619|publisher="Daily News & Analysis"|accessdate=2008-04-04] (One Bihari, Hundred illnesses) [cite web|url=http://www.bihartimes.com/newsbihar/2008/march/newsbihar05march6.html|publisher="Bihar Times"|accessdate=2008-06-06|title=Biharis are an affliction, says Bal Thackeray|date=2008-03-05] in "Saamna", Shiv Sena's political mouthpiece, saying Biharis were "an unwanted lot" in the country. In what was termed as an apparent bid to recapture his party's Marathi sons of soil plank, which was being hijacked by the MNS leader Raj, Thackeray wrote about Biharis,cite news|title=Biharis an unwanted lot: Bal Thackeray|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2839844.cms|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher="The Times of India"]

"They [Biharis] are not wanted in southern India, Assam and also Punjab and Chandigarh. The Biharis have antagonised local population wherever they had settled. The UP-Bihari MPs have shown their ingratitude towards Mumbai and Maharashtra with an anti-Marathi tirade in Parliament."

He also denounced Bihari MPs, saying they were "spitting in the same plate from which they ate" by criticising Mumbaikars and Maharashtrians. He also wrote, "They are trying to add fuel to the fire that has been extinguished, by saying that Mumbaikars have rotten brains". The outburst was apparently in response to MPs from Bihar who had disrupted the proceedings of the Lok Sabha in protest against the attacks on North Indians.cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/story/281062.html|title= Rattled by Raj, Thackeray abuses Biharis news|publisher="The Indian Express"|accessdate=2008-02-02] Bihar chief minister, Nitish Kumar, upset with the remarks, demanded that the Prime Minister and the Centre intervene in the matter immediately. The "Saamna" editorial prompted at least 16 Lok Sabha MPs from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, belonging to the RJD, JD (U), SP and the Congress, to give notice for breach of privilege proceedings against Bal Thackeray. After the matter was raised in the Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said: "If anybody has made any comment on our members’ functioning in the conduct of business in the House, not only do we treat that with the contempt that it deserves, but also any action that may be necessary will be taken according to procedure and well established norms. Nobody will be spared".

On March 27, in protest against Bal Thackeray's editorial, leaders of Shiv Sena in Delhi resigned citing its "outrageous conduct" towards non-Marathis in Maharashtra and announced that they will form a separate party. Addressing a press conference Shiv Sena's North India chief Jai Bhagwan Goyal said the decision to leave the party was taken because of the "partial attitude" of the party high command towards Maharashtrians. "Shiv Sena is no different from Khalistan and Jammu and Kashmir militant groups which are trying to create a rift between people along regional lines. The main aim of these forces is to split our country. Like the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, the Shiv Sena too has demeaned North Indians and treated them inhumanely", he said.cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com//Shiv_Senas_North_Indian_leaders_quit/articleshow/2902796.cms? |publisher="The Times of India"|accessdate=2008-04-04|title=Shiv Sena’s North Indian leaders quit] [cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/28/stories/2008032851310300.htm|accessdate=2008-04-04|publisher="The Hindu"|title=Delhi Shiv Sena chief resigns]

Evaluating the developments, political observers in Mumbai remarked that the Shiv Sena had been "caught in a bind" by Raj’s campaign as it had in recent years sought to portray an inclusive image to try and woo the significant migrant vote in the Mumbai and Thane region in the run-up to the Assembly elections in 2009. In order to balance this strategy, the party had started speaking up for Maharashtrians to remind them that it was the Shiv Sena was the original voice of the local people.

See also

*Marathi regionalism

References

Further reading

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*collapsible list|title=Timeline|title_style =text-align:center; |list_style = text-align:left; display:none;|frame_style=border:0px solid #ccf; padding: 0;
1=* January 2008: Raj Thackeray, the chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) criticises North Indians settled in Maharashtra and accuses them of 'cultural hegemony'. He alleges Amitabh Bachchan, a popular Bollywood actor, of showing "more interest" in his native state of Uttar Pradesh than Maharashtra, where he attained stardom.
* February 3, 2008: Violent clashes between party workers of MNS and Samajwadi Party (SP) take place at Shivaji Park, Dadar in Mumbai. MNS workers then assault several North Indian taxi drivers and damage their vehicles. Theatres in Thane and Nashik are ransacked for showing Bhojpuri films
* February 4, 2008: Two motorcycle-borne MNS supporters hurl bottles at Amitabh Bachchan's bungalow at Juhu, Mumbai.
* February 7, 2008: MNS workers attack Central Mumbai office of Bombay Taximen's Union. In response, the 55,000 strong Union immediately calls a flash strike. The strike is then called off after the Home Minister of state R. R. Patil assures them safety.
* February 13, 2008: As news of Raj’s possible arrest spreads across the state, incidents of violence are reported at Mumbai, Pune, Jalna, Beed, Aurangabad and Latur. Attacks are mainly directed at migrant workers, hawkers, taxi drivers and railway passengers. In Nashik, a Hindustan Aeronautics Limited employee is killed during stone pelting by MNS supporters on state-run buses. A mob kills a watchman with a private company at Igatpuri in Nashik district. In Pune, MNS activists chop off both hands of a Bihari hawker. Rapid Action Force and the CISF are deployed in many parts of the state to bring the situation under control.
* February 13, 2008: Police arrest Raj in the afternoon. Later that day, he is granted conditional bail by a local court which orders him not make any speeches that will inflame public tension. Raj released after furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 15,000. Abu Asim Azmi, a local SP leader is also arrested. Later, Asim is released on surety of Rs. 10,000.
* February 22, 2008: The Supreme Court of India expresses displeasure over the sons-of-soil agenda.
* March 6, 2008: Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray through his editorial in "Saamna" attacks Biharis and calls them an "unwanted lot" across the country. Also makes disparaging remarks against Bihari Lok Sabha MPs. Bal's editorial draws ire from Bihari leaders, who file a breach of privilege against him in the Lok Sabha.
* March 24, 2008: At an MNS rally in Mumbai Raj declares, "I have not given up my mission".
* March – April 2008: Sporadic incidences of violence against North Indians reported.