Liberalisation may have dismantled the socialist scaffolding of the licence-quota-permit raj somewhat. But the reservation juggernaut is rolling merrily across the badlands of Bharat. 27% reservation for OBCs. 10% reservation for Muslims in Andhra Pradesh. 10% reservation for economically weak upper castes in Uttar Pradesh. Reservation for Gujjars in Rajasthan. Internal reservation for OBCs in Karnataka. Reservation of “D” group posts in railways for locals.
As if all those reservations weren’t fetching enough “seats”, Bal Thackeray wants one more set of reservations: Reservation for Marathi speakers in newly built apartments in Bombay.
In growing proof that there is nothing more potent than pumped-up parochialism and linguistic chauvinism, the Shiv Sena supremo has said that 50 per cent of all new apartments should be “reserved” for Marathi-speaking people. “Reserve 50 per cent of the houses for Marathi manush (common man). Otherwise, we will not allow even a brick to be laid,” Thackeray said in an article in the Sena mouthpiece Saamna to mark his 82nd birthday.
In his edict, Thackeray said that builders should set aside a quota for Maharashtrians and that the quota must be mentioned in the contract. His son, Uddhav Thackeray, the Sena’s executive president, said: ”Maharashtrians are living in hutments, while towers are being built. How can this go on?”
Clearly, the reservation demand, appended to other timely political observations, is proof that the ageing tiger is smelling elections. If nothing else, it will increase the Sena’s nuisance value, besides swelling its bottomline. But, honestly, in a rapidly globalising world, how much further are we going to push the “local” envelope? Is the reservation of apartments for “locals” really a feasible idea or just a stunt by a very bankrupt politician?
Will the demand apply only in government-built apartments, or in private ones, too? Does a Kannadiga who learns Marathi in 30 days qualify for the reserved apartment? How will Marathi speakers be identified and allocated apartments? What if he or she doesn’t have the money to plonk on the table? What is the message: that all a “local” needs to do in life is be born in a state, the “State” will take care of the rest?
What next? Cars for locals? Club memberships for locals? Local trains for locals? Local calls for locals?
And, how much longer before Thackeray’s ideological blood-brothers and sisters on this side of Maharashtra border take up the cue?
churumuri 
The day is not far when some kannada organization will demand same thing for Bangalore.
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Mr.Thackeray gone crazy like anyone who is of his age.
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The Kannadigas should have been demanding that yesterday itself. We’re long overdue!
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Anony Coward,
The day is not far off when some NON-KANNADIGA OUTSIDERS will be demanding the same for Bangalore.
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Being a bangalorian,
I would say,, we must have such a policy in our state too.
I am not against outsiders coming here, taking a job, settling here. But make a law that they must have stayed for atleast 10 years and should have learnt some bit of local’s language before buying a property. Atleast that way, we’ll be able to see the outsider break out of his frog in a well mentality and mingle with locals and become a part of local’s social fabric.
What we now see are islands around bangalore.. Marthahalli Island, Sarjapur island Island, Indiranagar Island, where the people do not have a clue about what is happening outside their areas? Nobody knows nobody in those areas.
Being a kannadiga, born and brought up in basavanagudi, I feel very sad that we are not able to create a inclusive society where all people are part of the social fabric.
There is one more thing to add. Migration to bangalore is not new. It’s been happening since a few decades, but never it was so horrible, coz all the tamilians, telugites, mallus who came here, learnt decent kannada and become a part of kannada main stream.
But, the recent influx of northies after the IT boom is completely a different story. They are rarely seen trying to become a part of our main stream ( i am telling our because, we are the people who lived here since centuries and we have developped a social fabirc over centuries and that culture, that society is Kannada society).. outsiders should become a part of our mainstream rather than asking us to learn hindi and show that we are patriotic..
I would say, our karnataka govt should seriously think of a legislation to bring the oursiders to kannada mainstream with laws.
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@Ram
Isn’t what you’re proposing akin to creating entry barriers to prevent non kanndigas from moving to Karnataka. How is that fair? I don’t think there is place for such things in a democratic environment. Not in Karnakata, not in Maharashtra, not anywhere in India. Lets get above this petty regional politics and think like a nation state should.
I do agree though that North Indians or for that matter any non kannadigas moving to Karnataka should firstly respect locals, local lanuguage, local customs and secondly try and learn Kannada and actively pariticapate in all local festivities. At the same time Kannadigas should welcome and try to the make the transition easier for non kannadigas.
In recent times the regionalism in Karnataka and some other states has come to the fore and there has generally been a hardening of stance against people from outside the state. I think this sentiment needs to be respected and people across the nation need to be educated about being more tolerant, receptive and amenable to different cultures, languages and lifestyles.
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Anon says: In recent times the regionalism in Karnataka and some other states has come to the fore and there has generally been a hardening of stance against people from outside the state.
Yes, it happened precisely for a reason. For long, the silent Kannadiga faced the battery of abuse. He now decided he cant take it any more. So, if you are looking for some soul-searching, STOP. You dont have to look far.
Meanwhile, why is TOI not making a big cry of Thackery’s comments? While they go to great lengths in sham-bagging Kannadigas. Scared, arent they?
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Anon says: I think this sentiment needs to be respected and people across the nation need to be educated about being more tolerant, receptive and amenable to different cultures, languages and lifestyles.
STOP.
Rephrase that line as:
I think this sentiment needs to be respected and people across the NORTH INDIA need to be educated about being more tolerant, receptive and amenable to different cultures, languages and lifestyles.
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@SumneNeeve
You’re entitiled to your opinion. But in my opinion the people across the nation need to work together to understand each other better. Blaming a particular region – effectively each other – is not going to take us much further.
I don’t know why TOI – or for that matter any other publication – is not taking Bal Thackeray head on. They should. If they’re scared, that’s said. And I for once am very sure that we don’t need any more Thackerays. Not in Karnataka, not anywhere else in India.
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Its interesting to see different perspectives. Here’s how a Marathi Manus responded to the CNN-IBN story on Bal Thakre demanding 50% flats for Marathis:
“when The times of India, be it Bangalore Edition or Ahmdabad edition prints words like Gujarati Pride or Kannada Pride in their Dailies where some one of the Native has done good, they highlight it very well. but what about in Mumbai edition?? There is hardly any news about our people. where is the Marathi pride now?”
And we here in Bangalore are wondering
“I don’t know why TOI – or for that matter any other publication – is not taking Bal Thackeray head on. “
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anon says: Blaming a particular region – effectively each other – is not going to take us much further.
Anon, stop it. You know and I know how the heartburn started in Bangalore. So please dont involve “us” when you are generalizing. “We” were perfectly ok till the pan chewing, “m*******d-speaking” North Indian walked in sacred territory. All hell broke lose after that. So, please stop this “Open fly, torn shirt” mentality.
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For once, and for the record, can anyone on this forum, please quote circumstances that make people living in one state (in the Indian context) need to migrate to another state, however far it may be, to make this new place/state their new settlement?
Please also quote along with it, the percentage of the entire country’s population that needs to do this, and do it more often than staying put at one place – being a vagabond i.e.
But be sure that your reason is bound to be challenged by the remaining audience, because things like “I want a job in that state, so I need to relocate there!” and all will be beaten to the wall by replies like “Why, dont you think you can find yourself a job back there in your state?”
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Nijavaada,
The same question can probably be extended to people who leave their country to work/settle elsewhere (and I specifically mean India -> USA). But of course this migration is controlled by the US government and they they try not to allow a mass-migration. Like the mass migration of outsiders into Bangalore/Karnataka.
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India -> US movement is a privilege, and it’s the prerogative of the US Goverment to grant it, or not. Free movement within India is a constitutional right.
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It is quite funny to see people who lustily cheer on Ka Ra Ve in their anti-social activities suddenly get their panties in a wad about “pan chewing, “m*******d-speaking” North Indian”….
I am unable to find any figures that put North Indians (defined as anyone who lives above the Vindhyas, below the Himalayas, West of the Arabian Sea and East of the Bay of Bengal) forming a double digit percentage of Bangalore’s population.
Even if the percentage of North Indians is say, 10%, to dismiss them all with the crudest, most inaccurate stereotype possible is akin to despising all Kannadigas for being from the same land as Deve Gowda.
The fact is that as citizens of India we all have a right to live and settle anywhere we want to (unless of course it is a tribal area), and the reason why this was made a Constitutionally protected fundamental right was to tackle such petty parochialism.
I have still not found a coherent argument against outsiders that tells me exactly why we as Bangaloreans should restrict their entry, except for the fact that they are in fact not Bangaloreans and Kannadigas.
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‘India -> US movement is a privilege, and it’s the prerogative of the US Goverment to grant it, or not. Free movement within India is a constitutional right.’
Yeah Anonymous – that is what we are questioning… It is our prerogative. One driven by our concern for our culture and future generations.
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Alok,
Ka Ra Ve is a reaction to the problem. If not them there would be others. Their number and the support they get from ‘intellectuals’ (which maybe your concern) – is due to a lack of any study or willingness to identify and tackle this social issue by the government. So ka ra ve will move forward, and since you treat this as a non-issue because it is ‘un-constitutional’, they will be forced to take up actions which seem like hooliganism to you.
Of course our current bureaucratic system will never allow for legal or constitutional debate on these issues, or if they do it will take forever to resolve, so what do you think the people who feel strongly about this do? People who think their culture is under attack and children’s future isn’t as good as they thought it would be in spite of all their best efforts?
See the pattern, cities like Bombay and now Bangalore with these ‘movements for locals’ or cities like Chennai which are insulating themselves by making Tamil mandatory for everything (BTW what are your thoughts on that), this problem is bound to spread with time.
BTW non-kannadiga is anyone who moves in ‘first generation’ to Karnataka, doesnt respect the local culture and starts behaving boorishly/with ghetto mentality the minute they reach certain numbers. Taking advantage of the decency and niceness of their neighbours. Could be hindi, tamil anyone.
It would be better if we identify the issue and help address it before it becomes too late. Maybe it is the growing population in some states, maybe it is the lack of resources – but we cant just wait wishing what is written in the constitution more than 50 years ago will solve all our real problems.
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@Alok,
on the contrary, assuming you are FOR this national development and such stuff, does it serve this purpose well if you get all Indians (from wherever they are) into Karnataka and give them employment (some call it alms!)? People will keep “getting born” in those other states, and you shall continue to bring them all into Karnataka – of course for their good, right? So you think this is your way to a “better India,” eh?!
Yes the constitution says its one’s fundamental right to be able to live in any part of the country, but then, you’re being just as hypocritical as you could be, by counting only your rights, and forgetting to abide by your (fundamental) duties. Remember? Fundamental duties are states very next to fundamental rights..
One of those duties you need to fulfill is to strive towards development of your land – and since, lets say, you were born in Orissa, your primary duty falls in striving towards betterment of your land – Orissa i.e. Replace Orissa with your respective land of origin, and you have the right interpretation of our constitution.
No one is blaming or violating any part of our constitution when they protest against uncontrolled and meaningless diaspora of people across state boundaries in India.
Our polity is not just showing/giving you your rights, its also reminding you of your duties. Only when we perform our duties well do we have a stand to claim our rights.
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@churumuri,
I think we need to hold-on and think in perspective for a moment – about this concept of reservation. Now that you’ve raised this matter, and compared it with the matter of group-D “reservation” in railways.
The reservation you’re talking about, that exists in general in our country, is one in which a job is reserved to be given to a person, only because he is of a certain “kind,” but it is given regardless of his/her ability to perform the duties that are expected from that job.
This idea being thoughtfully initiated, politically upheld, and now psephologically motivated and continued, has become laughing stock, and has in a way become a bane because people are mis-understanding the other kinds of reservations that could be possible in this world!
And one of those good ideas that has been misunderstood is that a particular job in a piece of land, must be held reserved for people belonging to the same piece of land, only because he belongs to this piece of land, and he needs to make his best living on the same land. But, the difference here is that the job is entitled to this him/her, only if this person is capable and equipped enough to serve the purposes of this job effectively. The benefit of having this reservation is that the search for a suitable candidate for this job happens in the sample-space of the people of the respective land only – thereby ensuring betterment of citizens on their own piece of land.
The confusion you have raised by your blog about reservation doesnt seem congruent to the kind of material you’re talking about. Please refrain from creating such confusion in the future!
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@nijavaada/ Anonymous Guy
There is no fundamental duty imposed on you to sit where you are and stop “stealing jobs from locals”. Besides, no one can grab you by your neck and force you to meet your fundamental duties (as Ka Ra ve proposes to do).
Once again, I find no data or study or proof to justify this strange stereotype of a boorish outsider (which every community draws of every other non-local) yet somehow they are responsible for all of Bangalore’s ills and must be bundled off in trucks to go “develop” their birth place. To constantly justify violence and destruction because you “think” that outsiders are the “problem” takes you on a path well trodden by the despots and psychos of the world.
While we are on fundamental duties, here are a couple that Ka Ra Ve may wish to think about the next time they “cogently put forth their views” with hockey sticks and bricks:
“To safeguard public property and to abjure violence”
“To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities”
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Alok,
Some questions:
What sort of study/data do you want?
Why do you think Bombay and now Bangalore (the most cosmopolitan cities in India) are going through this phase.
How do you intend to stop this from happening to other cities. What is your thoughts about ‘cultural measures’ adopted by cities like Chennai where you are at an advantage if you dont know the local language?
And no I am not interested in catch phrases from the constitution – rights or duties :)
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Read:
‘Disadvantage’ when you dont know local language.
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But in Bangalore other S.indians are mixing with local .But N.indians Have .i.e they are fair,they are good looking…thats what majority of N.indians only pretend to support with local kannada culture.But always in background they hate kannada ppl. In this reason I really support
other other S.indians who will come match very fast with local kannada ppl ….
But my suggestion to N.indias we do have places call Coastal karnataka from where ppl become greate enterprener, great india bollywood celebrities,and become alrounders in all field…& all over india as well globe.
So i request all N.indians do not hate kannadigas…in even in background.we also proven that we are also equal to N.indians.
I reuest all N.indians plesae mingle with local kannada culture..learn Kannada.
Thats what i gave example of Mangalore & Udupi….
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