Gamchha, hookah and chaddar to protest discriminatory remarks

Imagine the scenario: a political protest where protesters inhale the fumes of a hookah, repose on smooth quilts and pillows, and wrap comfy towels around their shoulders.

This is no imaginative fantasy straight out of the Arabian Nights, but a concrete reality for BJP leaders in Mumbai, who are raising their voiceu00a0 in the characteristic style of UP panchats against discriminatory comments allegedly made by Home Minister P Chidambaram against North Indians, and BMC chief Subodh Kumar against migrant workers.



The BJP organised a maha panchayat at Azad Maidan yesterday. Raj Purohit, BJP chief in Mumbai, said, "We cannot tolerate any form of discrimination against any community or region.
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The people of UP and Bihar have been blamed for the country's slow rate of development. Hence this protest. We are planning to hold a protest in true UP panchayat style."

According to Purohit, Wikileaks recently exposed Chidambaram'su00a0 remark that India would have been a more developed nation, if not for the north of the country.

Purohit said, "This statement was in bad taste. He is the home minister, who has pledged to uphold and honour the constitution of the country.

We will hand over the decision taken by this mock 'panchayat' to the PM and request him to take action."