Shiv sainks have struck again ,this time ransacking the Mumbai and Pune offices of IBN Lokmat ,a news channel, because it had severely criticised Shiv sena supremo Bal thakrey for his anti Sachin utterances in Samna,an unforgivable sin in the party’s dictionary. From digging up cricket pitches to beating up north Indians to stopping the screening of movies shiv saniks have indulged in several acts of vandalism. It is apparent that tolerating dissent is not in shivsena’s DNA. While it’s supremo Bal thakrey can threaten and abuse people he dislikes or does not agree with but he is unable to tolerate any criticism directed at him or his brand of politics,and those who dare to do it are attacked by his army of goons.

The latest attack proves shivsena’s desperate attempt to wean back it’s traditional vote bank which has been steadily shifting towards Raj thakrey led MNS ,as was evident in this year’s Loksabha and Vidhan sabha elections as the latter has been raising the issues of Marathi manoos more aggressively.But the party does not realise the fact that it’s exclusivist agenda can not propel it to power nor can it’s brand of brand of politics. Marathis are peace loving and modern citizens and do not believe in vandalism that’s why Shivsena could come to power only once and it was elected not because people approved of its rowdyism but because they wanted a change in the government ,and once they realised that it’s policies were worse than that of the previous congress government they did not give it a second chance.

Shivsena is worried about MNS growing influence but it is certain that both of these outfits will remain only fringe players in Maharashtra’s political scene as

long as they continue practicing their narrow chauvinistic political agenda

As a parting shot I would like to say that strict action should be taken against those involved in the ransacking of IBN Lokmat offices. For too long shiv saniks and mns workers have been treated with kid gloves ,now the Maharashtra government should deal firmly with them because violence has no place in a democracy.