History is as evident that locals of any region or place are wary of strangers or outsiders as the fact that only those regions have developed and flourished that have embraced these so called outsiders open mindedly.

The recent odd happenings in Maharashtra, India are not singular. From time long Americans have been suspicious of the Blacks intruding in their country. It is to be noted here that even the whites are not Native Americans and the blacks have brought immense proud and honor to that country in areas of sports and politics. Yet, till date they are looked down upon. The same is happening today in USA with Indians too. There have been so many riots and so much of blood shed in France, Germany and other European countries in the name of preserving the local culture. But the case in India is a little different. Here people are competing with people of their own country, in the name of regions and languages. India being a country hosting scores of cultures, faiths and hundreds of languages, if this fire spreads further, will be disintegrated into numerous small fragments.

There have been cases of harassment of Assamese in Bihar and vice versa, east Indians and Tibetans in Delhi, north as well as south Indians in Maharashtra, which are shameful. Petty politicians trigger such disturbance for mere few votes of hardliners but at the end of day innocent hard working people bear the burnt. These outsiders leave their own place and work in other cities; they generate economy and contribute to the development of the place and still are hurt and bundled out at smallest provocation by small-minded politicians.

It’s a fact that only those societies, cities or countries have flourished and succeeded where outsides along with locals have existed, be it Dubai, New York, Sydney, London, Amsterdam, Delhi, Bangalore or Mumbai. Just imagine if Australia or America would have still been inhabited by its aboriginals? What face it would have had today? And in that case, what about our own Indian tribal people? If India wouldn’t have adopted Aryans, Mughals, Parsis and British, would it have developed and enriched as much as it is today? Just take the case of Mumbai. The Mumbai that we are proud of, wouldn’t have been so if it were untouched by outsiders till date. The development of India today is attributed to the technologically and scientifically skilled, English speaking man power that is spread through out the world. But English is not a native Indian language, so do we reject this development? What if all those Indians all over the world are kicked out in the name of regionalism? What would these politicians say then?

The intolerant politics of ‘Divide And Rule’ is being followed by our politicians from more than half a century. It would be wise and appreciable if at least now they begin to think about innovative ways for genuine development of their regions and then procure votes, not by merely beating around people and provoke hate.

Via: Times, Hindu