MUMBAI, 26 January 2007 – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member of Parliament and film actress Hema Malini's remarks directed at migrants from north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh settled in Mumbai asking them to leave Mumbai if they feel neglected, may prove costly for the BJP and its alliance partner Shiv Sena.
"If the North Indians who feel that they do not get the respect and honor in Mumbai should better pack up their bags and depart for Uttar Pradesh. Why are they staying back if they feel neglected here?" Hema asked that too during a function organized by the North Indians who had invited her on Thursday.
To a question about the North Indians not being happy with the treatment given to them in Mumbai, Hema shot back " if the Uttar Pradesh migrants complain of having problems in Mumbai, they should go back". Another BJP leader commented that the UP migrants were "uncultured and nuisance" for the city.
Hema's remark invited angry protests from North Indians, Congress and Natioanosits Congress Party (NCP) activists which burnt the effigy of Hema at Andheri, Bandra, Goregaon, Kandivli, Sion and Santa Cruz suburbs. Her comments have landed both the BJP and the Shiv Sena in hot water, since both parties are trying desperately to woo the sizeable north-Indian vote in the forthcoming elections to the Mumbai Municipal Corporation to be held on February 1. Inadvertently the BJP MP has opened a can of worms for both the parties. Apart, her comments would also wipe out the efforts to bring about a camaraderie with the north Indian community in Mumbai.
Sanjay Nirupam, the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) spokesman reacted strongly to the remarks of Hema and said that the BJP MP has hurt the sentiments of North Indian who form a significant part of the city population. Nirupam demanded an apology for her remarks. Another Congress leader Hussain Dalwai reminded Hema that she should not forget that she is a Member of the Parliament first and than an actor prior to making such irresponsible statements.
On behalf of the Congress Hussain condemned Hema, the BJP and the Shiv Sena.
Hussain Dalwai further stated " Hema should remember that her husband, actor and BJP Lok Sabha (Lower House) Member of Parliament Dharmendra also belongs to North India and that her children are half-north Indian".
Uttar Bharatiya Mitra Mandal vice-president Babulal Singh said it was an indication of their attitude towards North Indians. Similar reactions have come in from Uttar Bharatiya Yuva Brigade, Mumbai, Mahanagari Mitra Mandal and other organisations of North Indians in the city and in other parts of Maharashtra,
In a late damage control exercise, the state BJP president Nitin Gadkari came to the defense of Hema and said that she did not pass any remarks against the north-Indians and that the media has misquoted her and the entire comments were blown out of proportions. Hema, on the contrary had said that those who were spreading this canards should go back to Uttar Pradesh" Gadkari said.
