There is no gainsaying the fact that Maharashtra politicians, particularly Bal Thackeray, his nephew Raj Thackery of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and, to some extent even Congress and NCP, have squeezed the State politics to the narrow lanes of Mumbai.
When Shiv Sena supremo declared that Mumbai belongs to Maharashtra manoos, there was a great furore, rightly so, in the political circles all over the country. A great controversy erupted.
Not to be left behind, Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan first directed that Taxi permits and driving licences would be issued only to those who know Marathi, then had a U-Turn and then again reverted to his original stand.
Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, reacting to Bal Thackeray and Raj Thackeray stand termed it "pernicious" and declared: "Mumbai belongs to all of India and all Indians are free to live and work in Mumbai".
Congress heir apparent Rahul Gandhi does not normally open his mouth on issues hurting the aam aadmi by whom he swears in every breath, like sky-rocketing prices, terrorism. But he does volunteer to say something at places where it serves Congress political and electoral purpose. During his recent visit to Bihar, which is going to polls for State assembly this year, and Marathi manoos issue is hurting that State, he declared: "India is for all Indians and people have a right to go anywhere".
But, surprisingly, both Rahul Gandhi and Chidambaram do not make it clear whether their statement that "Mumbai belongs to all Indians" and that "India is for all Indians and people have a right to go anywhere" applies to the whole country, including Jammu and Kashmir because it too is an inalienable part of the country? What rights the people of Bihar, UP or elsewhere have in Mumbai, are these also available to them in J&K?
Both were very brave in their utterances on Mumbai. Will they display the same daring in reiterating that J&K too, likewise, "belongs to all Indians" and they can have the same rights there as they can claim in Mumbai or Chennai?
In such matters they prefer silence believing that "silence is gold" in such matters. But people are not fools not to understand things. Such golden silence also displays double standards and an effort to befool the people. It also betrays that they may be brave when it concerns Mumbai, they are certainly the opposite when it comes speaking about Kashmir.
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Voice of India 
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