The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s plans to begin milk distribution in Maharashtra by only the natives of the state on Sunday brought out sharp reactions from political parties in Bihar, who dubbed the move as deliberately anti-migrant and unfairly provocative.
The latest move by the MNS and Thackeray, whose mere mention evokes painful memories and even revulsion in Bihar, made them the target of fresh political attacks as parties in Bihar got another opportunity to display their concerns for the wellbeing of migrant Biharis. Almost all the parties in Bihar described the MNS decision to launch and distribute its own brand of milk in Maharashtra as a potentially dangerous situation for migrant Biharis there.
While the MNS, which recently soft-launched its milk product in Thane, claims it only aims at “providing employment to sons of the soil,” there is deep suspicion in Bihar that the party with a known anti-north Indian agenda could use the milk distribution exercise not only to deprive thousands of migrant Biharis of their livelihood but also to unleash a fresh wave of violence against migrant north-Indians. “They (MNS) seem to be preparing new ground for another bout of violence against north Indian migrants. Why only milk distribution? They can now start doing all their work like driving the taxis and working as household help across Maharashtra,” said senior RJD leader and Rajya Sabha member Ram Kripal Yadav. “They can, if they want, also come to Bihar to do all these work,” he added sarcastically.
Former BPCC president Ramjatan Sinha said there would be no problem if the MNS purely wanted to promote local employment by launching its own drink ‘Mumbai Milk: Swaad Maharashtracha’. “But if they are doing it to economically harm any section of the people and to further a political agenda, it would be too bad. This plan does not appear noble minded,” he said.
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Chandy to Jaya: curb attacks on Malayalis
Age Correspondent
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec. 18
Kerala chief minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, has penned a letter to his Tamil Nadu counterpart, Ms J. Jayalalithaa, asking her to take swift action to end attacks on Malayalis in the state.
Mr Chandy’s appeal comes in the context of continuing attacks on Malayalis in various parts of Tamil Nadu.
In his letter, the Chief Minister expressed deep concern at the attacks and termed as unfortunate the recent manhandling of Malayalis by advocates.
He said that false stories of women labourers from Tamil Nadu being molested in Kerala were being circulated to inflame passion among people. A report about Tamil labourers fleeing Kerala was also false, he said. A large number of students from Kerala are studying in various institutions in Tamil Nadu.