BOMBAY, 22 November 2003 — The government yesterday bowed to pressure from Hindu fanatics in Bombay and scrapped tests for recruitment in the railways slated for Sunday. The Bombay-based Shiv Sena has threatened violence to prevent people from outside Maharashtra trying for the government jobs.
In an echo of a clash that triggered bloodshed in India’s northeast this week, activists from the Shiv Sena ransacked a railway office on Monday to protest against outsiders being included among the 650,000 candidates who were to take the test for 2,200 jobs with the railways.
“We will not allow the tests to be held,” Shiv Sena party chief Bal Thackeray said yesterday. “If the Marathi (speaking) man sheds blood, the state will have to pay a heavy price.”
Security in Bombay has been stepped up and police will protect candidates after clashes over railway jobs triggered days of killing and arson in the northeastern state of Assam. Over 34 people were killed and troops were called onto the streets.
“I am scared that we could be attacked. But what can I do? I have to take the test, I need a job,” said Yugeshwar Kumar, 22, a college student from northern Bihar state.
More than 150,000 were to take the test, the second of four rounds, and thousands are pouring into Bombay, from northern India, especially Bihar. Many are camping at railway stations and on pavements.
