Food for thought

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">It was all full of food. Unfortunately, not a plate filled with mouth watering items, but a bitter controversy full of only words, arguments and counter-arguments surrounding food. Though related to food, the controversy was not really spicy to enjoy it as it was unwarranted and unfortunate. Unfortunate, because it sought to divide the society on the basis of food habits.Unwarranted, because we already have enough divisions in the society on the religious line, caste line and what not, not to add one more. <br /><br />Food is sought to be added into that list of items creating barriers when BJP MLA Mangalprabhat Lodha made a statement to the effect that there should be some only vegetarians housing societies, (where non-vegetarians should not be allowed to stay). Many termed it as a ploy to drive Mumbai''s ''<span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Marathi Manoos</span>'' out of the core city area. No wonder, Shiv Sena plunged into the issue and Marathi press picked it up, reminding all concerned that original residents of the city are "<span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Kolis</span>" (fisherfolk). The issue did not come to the fore suddenly, as there had been reports earlier about similar incidents. With the latest case the hidden discontent just burst.<br /><br />Surprisingly, it almost coincided with the Sena''s launching of major offensive, once again after a gap of 16 years, for the "protection and just rights" of Marathi people in Mumbai. Both, Uddhav and Raj, the generation next in Thackeray clan, made it abundantly clear at the party''s workers'' rally last week. This indicates that elections are approaching. <br /><br />The controversy over food, however, ended early without spoiling the food or becoming bitterer. Those vegetarians seeking to keep non-vegetarians at a distance have given up their demand, Uddhav Thackeray announced. May be he understood well and made others understand the Mark Twain ''mantra'': "Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside".<br /><br />Unfortunately, in another controversial issue, it was not the food, but police fought it out bitterly. And not inside, but outside and openly. It was top brass of the Police, who fought like gangsters except using real arms but exploiting other weapons at their disposal. <br /><br />"We are second to none" the then police commissioner D.S.Soman had said following an arrest of Charls Shobraj by Mumbai police on an old usual and common belief that Mumbai police are next to Scotland Yard. Police in Mumbai and Maharashtra are proving it now in subjects like internal squabbling. The controversy is surrounding the leakage of an inquiry report.<br /><br />Interestingly, all concerned are interested in going to the nip of the bud of finding from where and how the report leaked, rather than taking action against the wrong doings mentioned in the report. Director General of Police Subhash Malhotra, who was presented the report, very cleverly resigned from the chairmanship of IPS association following the leakage. But, why from the chairmanship of IPS association? How it comes into the picture? If he was so sensitive and really felt like doing something, why not from the DG''s post?<br /><br />Mumbai''s police commissioner, Ranjit Sharma, who is believed to be targeted in the report, talked to the press and vented out his anger over leakage. Though it all added a little spice to common Mumbaikar''s life, it also saddened him as it was an indicator of to what low level the police force has reached.<br /><br />As if these controversies were not enough, our own master blaster Sachin, Rs 200 crore worth brand, created his own, though a small one, by demanding from the government a piece of land for constructing a bunglow in Bandra. Sachin''s demand evoked a sharp negative reaction. Better he understands the people''s feeling and take corrective step.<br /><br />The controversy over the state government''s budget is another issue. It is still ongoing, mostly forcing the government to convene a day long session of state assembly to consider the recommendation made by the upper house to the appropriation bill.<br /><br />May be all these players in varied controversies know the eighteenth century English essayist William Hazlitt''s quotation, "When a thing ceases to be a subject of controversy, it ceases to be a subject of interest." So everyone is keeping Mumbaikars'' interest alive in many subjects.<br /></div> </div>