BECOME INDIANS
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BECOME INDIANS

The Maratha identity in Indian politics took roots with the baptism of Yeshvant Rao Bhai Chavan in undivided Maharashtra state. YB Chavan was the hero of all marathas and he was quickly recognised in Congress party and handled important assignments even under Jawaharlal Nehru. He rose to become the Depty PM ofIndia under Charan Singh as the representative of  Congress Devraj Urs faction. Maratha identity began with the ascent of chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj who stood up to the Muslim invaders from around his strong Maratha Empire with gusto and provided a clean administration.

The mantle of Maratha strong man later on fell on Vasant Rao Patil,who had a less distinguished political record compared to Chavan. Infact, marathas have been taking pride in this identity for long because a sectrian party under Balthackery could blossom and later on initimidate the migrant population of mumbai. Even when MNS under Raj Thackery took to Maratha Manoos seriously taunting Bihari migrant workers, people were hardly repentant. The divisive politics preached and practised is a direct result of feeling of insecurity amonst Marathas. Barring Kirloskar and Walchand Hirachand there has never been an industrialist of repute from Maharastra with most Maharastrians preferred to be civil servants, Play wrights,  and mere clerks in the establishment. No one talked about improving the economic conditiions of the maharashtrian people by creating more jobs and improving productivity. They could boost of Datta Samant who would at one drop of hat paralyse the entire powerloom sector and organised textile sector. they could blame the migrants for the vast slums of Mumbai which contribute to the states economy more than they do . They could foment communal trouble at the slightest pretext and many communal flare ups are due to the Maratha intransigence to racial superiority.

One man clevery manipulated this pride for his self ends. Sharad Pawar the current Maratha Strong man controls the sugar lobby and has done precious little for his home state despite his clout in successive governments. This is the time for marathas to get rid of this time worn clicjhe of maratha supremacy for under Prithiviraj Chavan they have a well read and incorruptible CM who has taken the task of cleansing the politics. Let them come out of this image, for the likes of Pawar are not descendents of Shivaji Maharaj nor of Sahu maharaj not even of Sambaji who lost the 3rd battle of panipat to the british but anAfsal Khan in Maratha clothing.This is the defining moment in history.

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