Mumbai Culture
As elections approach in Maharahstra, I want us all to think deeply about this whole ‘sons of the soil’ issue — that ‘outsiders’ must not be allowed into the state and the city because they degrade life for local citizens.
Here are some questions that come to my mind…
#1 — Is honoring local culture opposed to welcoming people from other cultures?
While I see several parties raising issues on linguistic grounds, I hardly see any constructive action from any of them to honor our local culture — where are the Maharashtrian film festivals, restaurants, inter-college competitions and art exhibitions?
Why not even an orientation into our culture for those not from the ‘soil’? Isn’t that a more constructive response?
#2 — Is being a part of India only about taking the (supposed) benefits and not the obligations that come with it?
When we are a part of a Union, we enjoy its defense, foreign relations and identity. Moreover, most of what we have in the city (electricity, jobs and food) are directly connected to the hinterland — a lot of people who migrate are at the receiving end of our looting.
Isn’t it very convenient to shoo them off while managing to displace them through structures of corporations and economics?
#3 — Is it not legitimate to demand that ‘sons of soil’ be given preferential treatment?
To me, the demand that local language and culture be respected is totally legitimate. There is also an inbuilt advantage for locals when availing of services (which are linguistically more accessible to local junta).
But beyond that, markets and meritocracy are the best ways to efficiently organize — and protectionism had value only upto a point. Instead, stronger laws that prevent encroachment and ensure services for all are worth lobbying for.
#4 — What is Mumbai culture really?
We were the state of Mumbai till 1961 — and after that, the city has been home to multiple languages and identities. To be Mumbai is to be Maharashtrian and yet be welcoming of everyone.
Shivaji’s exploits never involved harm to any other community — rather it involved respecting other religions. And that is the legacy we must claim and continue to claim.
Every economy benefits from the infusion of new people — they provide labour, take more risks, add to the diversity and give the cosmopolitan feel (which by the way is very cool). Being threatened by it only reveals the lack of our own grounding in our identity.
So, let us use this opportunity to push our elected representatives to re-frame the immigration issue — not as an us-vs-them argument but as a constructive set of actions that can let us celebrate who we are while welcoming everyone into our fold.
