In a little cosy corner in Dadar (West) stands an Irani restaurant overlooking Krishnakunj, the house of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president, Raj Thackeray.
In a little cosy corner in Dadar (West) stands an Irani restaurant overlooking Krishnakunj, the house of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president, Raj Thackeray.
The restaurant and provisions store, Light of Bharat, built in 1938 has witnessed many violent political events. The number of men clad in khaki patrolling the street outside does not perturb its owner, who welcomes every individual — who invariably comes in for a cup of tea and bun-maska — with a broad smile.
Mohammad Sadiq Saqi, the owner, has known three generations of Thackerays. "I have known Raj since he was a little child. He is a good boy," he says.
Last week when all the businessmen in Dadar shut shop, the Irani restaurant's doors were wide open serving a crowd that jostled for a steaming cup of tea.
A couple of days ago the police department fixed a closed circuit television (CCTV) close to the restaurant, as part of their security cover of the region.
Seated by the cash counter Saqi revealed how Raj, in his college days, would regularly frequent the Irani restaurant for a cup of tea. He then takes on a hushed tone,and smiles a tad mischievously: " I remember him once sitting at the corner table and smoking a 555 cigarette."
His father, the late Shrikant Thackeray, came in later and scolded me for spoiling him by giving him cigarette. "I think he was in his early 20s. I told him there was nothing wrong if boys smoked once in a while."
In those days 555 was the most sought after brand. With the changing times even the older cigarette brands have made way for new ones.
"Now my restaurant stores different cigarettes. But what has remained unchanged is the old bun-maska and chai. Of course, when I was child it was sold for one anna. Today, a cup of tea fetches Rs6," he adds. Saqi told DNA how Raj's father used to play the harmonium. "He was an artiste. A good man," he says.
The communal tension does not bother Saqi, who has seen bloodier Mumbai riots. During the 1992-93 riots his restaurant was attacked.
But he does not display any bitterness towards anybody. Whom should I blame? Then pointing to a middle aged Maharashtrian women accompanied by a young girl he says, "This girl I have seen grow up. She was recently married. They are all from my area."
s_khapre@dnaindia.net
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