Rally to rise above divisive politics

Mumbai: Shopkeepers, fishermen, social activists, ordinary citizens belonging to different religions and members of non-governmental organisations will hold a massive rally on Saturday to send home a message to politicians that divisive politics will not work.

The venue for an expected gathering of 100,000 people is Shivaji Park in Dadar where rabble-rousing speeches have been made by politicians in the past and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, responsible for anti-north Indian attacks, lives opposite the park.

"This is an ambitious gathering called Sadbhawna Melawa [Goodwill Fair] to tell everyone that we are Indians first and last and say enough is enough to divisive politics," said Dolphy D'Souza, President of The Bombay Catholic Sabha.

"There will be no sensationalism at our gathering as in political gatherings but we have a positive agenda with more than 40 organisations participating in the rally," D'Souza said.

Communal harmony

Though there was no mention of MNS attacks at the press meet, Viren Shah, Joint Secretary of Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association, remarked how traders who had held agitations for their own interests now want communal harmony and peace.

"We traders are peace loving citizens and are pained at what has been happening in this city," said Shah who had defied the MNS diktat on putting up bold Marathi signboards outside his shop.

Many shops came under attack during the MNS violence. "What is happening is absolutely wrong. Citizens, especially those who come from outside the state, are being terrorised. We want to remove this fear," said Shah, appealing to people to raise their voice that every religion, community and language should be respected.

"We also want to convey a strong message to political parties that Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city and every one should respect this fact. The city needs a non-Marathi, Maharashtrian [anyone born and brought up in this state] leader so that the diversity of this city and its people are given its due respect," Shah said.

Dr Gajendra Bhanji, Chairman, National Association of Fishermen, and President of Maharashtra Koli Samaj, said how even after 60 years of independence, "there is still fear amongst the people".