What should a person staying in Mumbai call himself? A Mumbaikar, Maharashtrian or an Indian? It is one of the toughest questions to answer.

Struggling with identity

What should a person staying in Mumbai call himself? A Mumbaikar, Maharashtrian or an Indian? It is one of the toughest questions to answer. You never know, who might come and bash you up for just expressing your opinion. For the last three days, there have been innumerable press conferences across the country focussing on Mumbai and its identity.

First the RSS took a stand on the issue. The Shiv Sena responded to it, the BJP followed suit. And now Rahul Gandhi has jumped into the battlefield.

One politician holds a conference to put forth his point followed by another who contradicts the other. The third one talks about something else, but claims to be talking on the same issue. Confusing, right? I am clueless why suddenly Mumbai's identity has become a bone of contention. A commuter with in the train asked me, "Does making Mumbai for all or not making it for all make a difference?"

There are several thousands like me, who are forced to change their identity every time

A common man staying in Mumbai is always afraid to reveal his identity. For example, I was born in Mumbai, brought up here and even completed my education in this city. I work here, pay my taxes here, but I am forced to carry three identities with me. For someone who claims that Mumbai belongs to all, "I am an Indian." For someone who thinks otherwise, "I am just a Mumbaikar" and for a third who thinks I should know Marathi to stay in this state, "I am a Maharashtrian."

I am sure I am not the only one. There must be thousands like me, who are forced to change their identity every time. Why? Just to sustain in this city. For a shopkeeper, it doesn't matter what language his customer speaks, till the time he understands it. The milkman's job is to deliver milk and till the time he does that, who is bothered about his caste, creed, sex or region.

Yes, our politicians do get bothered with a person's caste. For them, these controversies are their livelihood. What an irony that these politicians ,who change their colours every day, are forcing us to be like them u2014 to change our identity, only because we want to lead a peaceful life.

Many have decided to watch SRK's My Name is Khan, not because they are his fans, but they are proud that at least for once, Bollywood that has been a soft target always of the politicians didn't bow. SRK did raise his voice and expressed himself.
Isn't that democracy?

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