I first became aware of the contempt with which UP/Bihar is treated when I thought my Bengali friend back to college was Bihari. He practically recoiled at the implied insult (unintentional) in the question. The first time I heard the word "bhaiyyas" used in a derogatory sense was when the watchman in the building killed a big fat lizard we wanted to chase out (not kill) and demanded a 100 rupee payment. The reason - he was a Brahman and had sinned by killing a living creature. I was like 'wtf'. My roommate (who was from UP herself) told him to take a hike. We then found our laundry guy who did it for less than half the price and muttered, "these bhaiyyas" before he left.
Over the last four years, I have sat in many taxis and rickshaws driven by members of the said states. For the most part, I've had no trouble. But whenever I was overcharged (a rare occurrence in Mumbai by itself), its inevitably been by a member of the same group. A classic case of a few rotten apples spoiling the lot? I guess so. But that doesn't give anyone the right to resort to violence. Rhetoric apart, its a fact that Mumbai wouldn't run for a single day if the UP and Bihar folks weren't in the city. People who are hasty with the brick bats, kindly stop and think about it!
Over the last four years, I have sat in many taxis and rickshaws driven by members of the said states. For the most part, I've had no trouble. But whenever I was overcharged (a rare occurrence in Mumbai by itself), its inevitably been by a member of the same group. A classic case of a few rotten apples spoiling the lot? I guess so. But that doesn't give anyone the right to resort to violence. Rhetoric apart, its a fact that Mumbai wouldn't run for a single day if the UP and Bihar folks weren't in the city. People who are hasty with the brick bats, kindly stop and think about it!
2 comments:
Its ironic, We got our independence thanks to Mahatama Gandhi,a man who preached non-violence.
And now our politicians preach it discreetly.
If we all keep quiet for a few moments- without rush or speech- and introspect, we would share an exotic moment together- moment devoid of hostility and harm.
I just read Pablo Neruda's 'Keeping Quiet' and am still in the afterglow.
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