B for Book, Ban, Blot

There is one thing about the Thackerays. They are rarely underhanded.

Aditya Thackeray blatantly admitted his ignorance of Rohinton Mistry’s “insulting” book even as he burned the content out of the Mumbai University’s syllabus. This was done in the classic Shiv Sena fashion of course (‘goondagiri’ suits better, and the Thackerays were never particular about appealing to the elite), and well in time (also, well-planned, well-charted, and well-executed) to herald the Sena cub’s grand entry into politics.

As the leader of the party’s youth wing, the new entrant to the unscrupulous dynasty tried his best to do as the Romans do. Burning books and arm-twisting none other than the Vice-Chancellor of a University is something only a true-blooded Sainik can pull off. It’s more than a conjecture to estimate which way the Yuva Sena will head in the days to come. The picture’s clear and out in the open, just as the Thackerays like it.

The young scion flung every notion of an educated, civilized, tolerant, and secular generation worthy of leading the nation right out of the window. In fact, right out of the University.

Banning a book can never be justified. And when this is done on the jingoistic whims of a brainwashed student, the matter brings immense shame. No, not to the Thackerays, of course. They are beaming with pride. The book ban actually mocks us, you and me, who, as part of this generation that claims to be living in an emancipated era and a free country, did nothing but watch haplessly and rather dispassionately as literature succumbed to political censorship in its ugliest form. This wasn’t the same Mumbai that the world watched in awe post the terror attacks. Yes, lives were lost and yes, it was a whole different incident, but this is no less an attack on Mumbai’s character as it was then.

Taking one thing at a time, Aditya’s romp as a precursor to his induction was virtually a ‘Mumbai Jaago’ campaign. All those wishful Mumbaikars who thought the Sena’s run was slowing owing to the aging Tiger and a rather toothless regent may now have to be wary of the 20-year-old, who has showcased he can wield the Sena power just like his Grandpa would be proud of.

Aditya’s only claim to fame is that dreaded family name, but the followers are already spewing. Making a slightly digressing yet crucial point, it is really necessary to uncover how much the muscular party shells out to hire its herds of goondas. Mistry pointed out how all that the party is responsible for constructively is its ready employment generation. Apart from that, their beloved Mumbai has succumbed to more havoc from the Sainiks than the frequent deluges that the Rain Gods bring.

Secondly, and more importantly, the day the University (the Vice Chancellor is but the representative) bowed down to a just-out-of-his-teens boy’s tantrums was a sad day for the already battered spirit of Indian democracy.

Mistry has made his point with effect, and can even move on from the incident. But we as national witnesses to this “pathetic” episode (quoting the author from his harangue) have a lot to think about.

The Shiv Sena nuisance has been a long-going one, where they have extorted “outsiders” to leave and have hijacked the city on several occasions, all in the name of protecting the Marathi Manoos. I am from Maharashtra and I couldn’t be more appalled to be a part of this city than I am now.

In fact, the current goings-on in the country don’t do much for my pride either. The Kashmir issue has been the biggest slap in the face of the largest democracy of the world. And then we have the Thackerays kick Mumbai around like it’s their favourite hobby.

Their leader’s unabashed violation of the decibel limit set by the High Court for his grand return orchestrated at Shivaji Park recently is just the last straw. And the police function more as an entourage than real law-keepers anytime the Tiger roars.

In a vulgar contradiction that can never be digested by any Indian, a boy resorts to vandalism to get his way in one part of the country and the administration gives in, while in another state, a boy strives to bring some peace to his people and he is shot down by the authorities. No, a book ban shouldn’t have happened. And in a larger context, no, an innocent teenager shouldn’t have been shot dead in the Valley.

Sixty three years ago, this nation dreamed of a democracy that would grow to be a stellar illustration of how life can be lived at its best. Such a long journey. But where have we come?