Whether it was proper on the part of Mr.Raj Thackeray to hold a rally, was the
debate on Marathi news channels prior to 21st August 2012. But, once the rally
organized by MNS received an overwhelming Public support, gathering about 1 lakh people, it received a good coverage from the electronic media. In fact, IBN
Lokmat held a debate on the same day evening of the rally i.e. 21st August 2012
to discuss whether it was the Public anger, which reflected through this rally
of MNS. Their Poll question received 98% of audience response in affirmative. A
similar poll was conducted on Zee 24 Taas, which also endorsed the same.
Almost all the Marathi channels, besides few National English and Hindi channels
carried live telecast of the rally, by placing the cameras at three places, i.e.
at Choupaty, from where it originated), at Azad maidan, where the rally was to
end with a speech by Mr. Raj Thackeray; and in front of the residence of Mr. Raj
Thackeray at Dadar. In fact, the News channels also followed the dynamic MNS
leader on his route to the venue, from his residence. They even took a halt at
Siddhivinayak temple, where the leader took a halt to seek blessings of Lord
Ganapati.
In his thought provoking speech, the vibrant leader exposed the attitude of Home
Minister and Police Commissioner while dealing softly with the rioters during
the 11th August rally, by giving various examples of the lapse on their part. "The Police commissioner even went on to say
'bas***d' to his subordinate, who
had caught hold of two criminals involved in rioting; and ordered him to leave
them," he pointed out. The Marathi media was all praise for his timely and
peaceful rally of MNS against injustice on police who were beaten up and their
female counterparts molested by violent rioters.
In his speech, Mr. Thackeray said that he was against all those involved in pre
planned attack on police on 11th August, and condemned such attacks no matter,
whichever religion the attackers belonged to. He also told the media persons
that his rally was also to protest the attack on media persons and their vans.
Demanding resignation of the Home Minister and the Police Commissioner, for
their inefficiency to book the organizers and the real trouble makers till date;
his rally ended peacefully, receiving praise even from some of his critics.
Another news that also received the attention of Marathi news channels was about
the exodus of North east people from different parts of the country like Pune,
Nashik, Bangalore and Hyderabad. These people who belonged to Assam and Manipur,
were threatened by some Muslim groups via SMSes. Now, it has come to the notice
that the origin of provocation through social networking sites originated from
Pakistan and the Home Minister of India has communicated this to his Pakistani
counterpart, who has asked for the evidence; reported the news channels.
In a debate held on IBN Lokmat on this issue, former AGP MLA from Assam called
it an issue related to locals and illegal migrants from Bangaladesh, who were
provided shelter by Indian Government . In a statement to other news channel,
Noted Islamic scholar and peace activist Maulana Wahiduddin Khan did not blame
the Bodo; but suggested that the those illegal migrants from Bangaladesh should
have adopted the local culture of the place where they migrated. This clearly
suggested, as to how the sentiments of people belonging to minority community
were exploited by those who were anti nationals in this country. As rightly
suggested by Ms. Alka Sharma, of AGP, there was no Hindu- Muslim conflict in
Assam, as the original local Muslims were very friendly with Assam people. It
was only the Bangladeshi people, who are to be blamed for this issue.
by Ulhas Shirke © MMW
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