While doing a google search on the Rani of Jhansi I got to know that she was a Maharashtrian (MAH) by birth and Jhansi is in Uttar Pradesh. At a time when UPwalas are under attack in Maharashtra I wondered how they would react to such information. The article tells you, why people migrate to Mumbai and prosper, what MAH can do to excel and how Railways have changed the rules to favor Hindi speaking people.

Why do people come to Mumbai?

Let’s take the Sindhis and Gujaratis first. Bombay was the capital of Bombay Presidency that included Sindh and parts of modern day Gujarat till Sindh was detached in 1935 and Gujarat in 1956. By virtue of being a commercial centre Bombay attracted Sindhis and Gujaratis, both of whom are predominantly business communities. During Partition Sindhis travelled in steamers from the port city of Karachi to Bombay.

Attracted by work opportunities and Bollywood a number of Punjabis came to Bombay notably Dev Anand, Kapoors and Chopras. 

Due to lack of jobs in Kerala Malayalis came to Mumbai. The strong anti Brahmin sentiment in Tamil Nadu compelled them to shift to Bombay amongst other cities.

From being amongst the best administered states in the 1950/1960’s Bihar is amongst the worst today. Uttar Pradesh is no better. Lack of employment has forced migration. After all, no one in Mumbai who is willing to work goes hungry.

Since Mumbai is the country’s financial capital and home to many corporate offices it attracts talent from all over India.

Lastly, the existence of an excellent coastline encouraged export-import trade and resulted in influx of a great number of outsiders e.g. traders, agents.

Over the years Mumbai has become home to not only MAH but Parsis, Sindhis, Punjabis, South Indians, Biharis and UP walas not to forget Bangladeshis.

Why have Migrants done better in Mumbai than Maharashtrians?

• The world over it is natural for migrant’s to work harder than locals.
• MAH are enamored by 10 to 6pm jobs that are cushy, secure and avoid physical work.
• MAH are reluctant to be employed as service providers say watchmen/liftmen/taxi drivers. Also an inherent or acquired arrogance prevents them from doing odd jobs for the Boss like picking up bags or delivering clothes to dhobi. This is predominant in the younger generation. The earlier MAH were tough and worked in textile mills. Even today most of the Mathadis (dock workers) are Marathas from Konkan.
• Aversion to risk and desire for office comfort makes it difficult to start small business like fruit vendor and road side stalls.
• Media’s continuous harping of Mumbai’s cosmopolitan nature has subtly destroyed the resolve and spirit of the MAH such that the common man speaks in Hindi not Marathi. This is unlike Bengal, Tamil Nadu where local language is widely spoken.
• The textile strike of 1982 created a large pool of unemployed mill workers. The government and industry did not take adequate steps to retrain them. It became a classic case of disguised unemployment. This forced the homemaker to work as domestic help.
• There are not enough MAH to service Mumbai’s burgeoning population. Outsiders get a chance because demand exceeds supply.

Here are some ideas which could make MAH prosper. 
• Regain the pride of being MAH. Draw inspiration from Lokmanya Tilak, Veer Savarkar, Mahatma Phule and Dr Ambedkar. In the 18th century Marathas ruled over large parts of India through the Peshwas of Pune, Scindias of Gwalior, Gaekwads of Baroda, Holkars of Indore and Bhonsles of Nagpur. 
• Start Training schools where MAH are taught to become entrepreneurs, service providers like carpenters, plumbers, drivers and masons.
• Conduct courses that change attitude and mindset such that MAH become hard working, risk takers, street smart and ambitious.
• MAH should open road side stalls that sell local fast food. They could take a leaf from the Shetty community’s success in running Udipi restaurants. 
• Open an Airhostess Training Academy where MAH girls are trained. . 
• When the stock market is down to advise MAH on how to stop loss / make money.
• Stop being defensive about calling Mumbai a Maharashtrian city. Inspite of being the country’s capital Delhi is still known as a Punjabi city.

What could Non Maharastrians do to create a better living environment in Mumbai?
• Learn to speak Marathi even if it is broken words. I know of non Bengalis born in Kolkatta who speak fluent Bengali. Same is the case elsewhere.
• I have seen many a North Indian look down upon the MAH community as one lacking class, not rich enough. That must stop. Be appreciative of their tolerance.
• Support your domestic help by sponsoring the education of one child. 
• While renovating your home make it a point to use the services of MAH for e.g. the Maratha community make very good painters.
• Learn to respect the Marathi manoos. Many a Bihari taxi driver told me that one of the reasons for current tensions is because the younger generations of migrants look down upon the MAH.  
• Politicians of Bihar and UP need to take quick and firm steps to create employment opportunities in their states. 

Now what is the procedure for recruitment by the Railways? 
Unconfirmed Media reports indicate that since 1976 the employment criterion of the Central Recruitment Board was divided into zones. This division was based on the local language of each state.
• Zone A: Bihar, Haryana, HP, MP, Rajasthan, UP, Andaman, Delhi formed Hindi Speaking Zone.
• Zone B: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab & Chandigarh formed Non Hindi Speaking Zone.
• Zone C: Southern states like Kerala, Karnataka, etc. & North Eastern States like Assam, Mizoram, Bengal etc.

The Central Employment Rule said that 'All Exams for Employments in the respective Zones shall be held in the Respective States only’. Thus local people get jobs in their hometown.

However, in 1987 there was a Minor Change in the Rule 9 Part 9.2.2, for Zone -B Jobs that became effective in 1988. The change was that 'As an optional Language of employment, People of Zone-A can apply for Jobs in Zone-B’ meaning Hindi speaking Indians could apply for jobs in non Hindi speaking states e.g. Maharashtra.

But with this Clause there was a Sub-Clause, stating 'The Notice of Jobs in Zone-B areas for Zone-A aspirants’ may be given in Zone-A areas only. Because of this, Recruitment Notices for Jobs in Maharashtra, etc are displayed only in Hindi speaking states but seldom in Maharashtra’s newspapers.

If the above is true the Marathi manoos has a genuine grouse. Inspite of best efforts I was unable to get the Railway Recruitment Board point of view on the subject.  

If implemented some of these ideas could reduce tensions between the Marathi manoos and others.

I am the son of a refugee who left Lahore for Mumbai in 1947. A laminated picture of Shivaji Maharaj and Guru Govind Singhji is the first thing you see on entering my home. I speak better Marathi than my mother tongue Punjabi. What does that make me?

Majha Nara aahey! Jai Maharastra.