mid day editorial: Embrace zero tolerance towards netagiri

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) claimed responsibility for attacking the Mumbai Congress office recently. The party should compensate Congress for the damages caused by its workers. An extensive report in this paper cited that the Congress had detailed damages caused and loss suffered. There has been a slanging match since then, with the Congress also accusing BJP for being in cahoots with the MNS. The MNS has said it is because of Congress' continual posturing over the MNS threat to migrant workers. Meanwhile, in other MNS action, shopkeepers in the Thane belt have received a letter from a party representative to make the Marathi lettering on their signboards bolder and bigger. The store owners have been given an ultimatum, stating that if they do not comply, they will get a fitting reply in MNS style: Beatings, thuggery, violence and assault.

We need to hear and see real action against threats like these, whoever makes them. Party workers must understand that they do themselves, their party and the city no justice. People are not naïve and they do understand that political parties will indulge in antics that get eyeballs. Yet, this has crossed a line. Stamp out the violence, arrest the criminals and hold them accountable. Set an example that no political party can resort to this, whatever the provocation claimed by them. They may indulge in verbal duels with their political opponents, espouse their agenda as strongly as possible in words. No more though, is this city going to sit back and watch as offices are vandalised, shop fronts smashed, innocent public terrorised, caught in the crossfire and threatened. Adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards this, not only to ensure safety, but to set a precedent for all political parties.