Cosmopolitan Bombay
K. K. SHAH, M. P.
WHEN the new State of Maharashtra came into being a year ago, there were doubts and misgivings in the minds of a section of the people whether Bombay city would retain its unique cosmopolitan character. In this country, transitions have not always left behind happy memories and such doubts, to say the least, were understandable. In fact, quite a few people expressed their fears openly, particularly when it was decided to change the name of the new State from Bombay to Maharashtra.
There was of course, an explanation for this change of name. Historically, the people of this part of the country have been known as Maharashtrians, and have throughout struggled for the emotional integration of India. It is, therefore, but natural that when a new State of their own was coming into being, they felt that such a State should revive this urge for unity by naming the new State as Maharashtra.
This explanation stressed the obvious, yet it is significant that at the moment of jubilation and emotional upsurge, it was left to Yeshwantrao to sense the mood of uncertainty and strike the right note by pledging the new State to the preservation of the cosmopolitan character of Bombay. Mr. Chavan went further. He said: Maharashtra is to be the name of the new State, not of the city. Bombay will still remain the name of OUR cosmopolitan city.
Once again, the Chief Minister had touched the tender cord. The collective term “our cosmopolitan city” carried just that feeling of warmth. What is more, it included everybody—Muslims, Parsis, Christians, South Indians, Punjabis, Biharis, Bengalis, Uttar Pradeshis— ; in effect, anyone who lived in Bombay and had made the city his home. Not only did this simple approach dispel the clouds of anxiety and fear, but it set the tone for the people’s behaviour.