Sir — This refers to the report, “EC flays Raj’s remark against non-Maharashtrians” (October 20). Mr Raj Thackeray’s love for Maharashtrians is admirable, but he should not hate others. The son-of-the-soil approach he espouses is not new. But giving jobs only to Maharashtrians who do not have the qualifications and experience, will bring nothing but doom to the State.
Being an ambitious person, he should draw lessons from history. But for the unexpected defeat of the Marathas at Panipat by Afghan invader Ahmed Shah Abdali, the Marathas would have been the rulers of India. Yet, the last Mughal ruler Bahadur Shah Zafar was under Maratha protection. Moreover, let us not forget that Shivaji is revered by non-Maharashtrians as well.
With the advent of the internet, the world has virtually become one village. Therefore, as an elder and a former student of Bombay University, I suggest Mr Thackeray abandon his narrow outlook.