We have perhaps not heard the end of the Marathi manoos versus the rest of India story, but in Sachin Tendulkar we have heard a definitive argument. The batting maestro’s remark, that Mumbai belongs to the whole of India and not just to Maharashtra, speaks of an inclusive world view and a more nuanced understanding of the spirit of Mumbai than that demonstrated by power-hungry politicos. Tendulkar went on to reaffirm his idea of India: he was a proud Maharashtrian he said, but he was an Indian first.
It is a simple enough remark but it puts into stark contrast the hollowness of the chauvinism and parochialism which the shrill Marathi manoos campaign endorses. It may make sense for the votaries of that idea to pay some attention to Tendulkar. The cricketer has just celebrated the 20th anniversary of his debut in international cricket and the world has been pouring encomiums on him. He has been for most of those 20 years an icon the world over, a title he has worn lightly and modestly, letting his bat do the talking. Therefore, when Sachin Tendulkar speaks, it is worth paying attention to him. After all, he represents the country to the world and in that sense, like all international sportspersons, he is an ambassador for India. At those times, regionalism, surely, does not enter the picture.
And what he is says is no different from what any right-thinking person would say. It is easily understood that Raj Thackeray and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s idea is to look for immediate political gains, to dislodge the Shiv Sena and teach his cousin Uddhav a lesson. But unfortunately, such a hate-filled and potentially violent campaign has serious ramifications for society at large. It is has to be tackled by the government at the law and order level but there is another battle to fought, of hearts, minds and good sense and here Tendulkar has fired a mighty salvo.
Is it necessary to repeat that Tendulkar is a man who can bring this country and cricket lovers across the world to a standstill? That when he goes out to bat the whole of India prays? That his towering achievements have already placed him among the all-time greats? He is truly an international figure and he has made it clear that he will not be curtailed or contained by a limited vision. With this declaration, the Master Blaster has hit parochialism for another six.
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