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Marwadi Go Back Campaign
Governor Urged to Quell Xenophobic Campaign, Protect Telangana’s Social Fabric
In a decisive move to counter a rising tide of regional animosity, the Akhil Bharatiya Agarwal Mahasabha has urgently appealed to Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma to publicly condemn and take stringent action against the proponents of the controversial ‘Marwadi Go Back’ campaign. In a formal letter, the organization characterized the campaign not merely as an insult to a single community but as a “grave threat to the social fabric and economic stability” of the entire state of Telangana, calling for the highest office to step in and reassure all citizens of their safety and rights.
The appeal outlines a two-pronged request: first, for the Governor to issue a strong, unequivocal public statement denouncing the hate campaign, and second, to direct the Director General of Police (DGP) and all law enforcement agencies to take swift and strict legal action against the individuals and groups orchestrating it. This plea underscores a growing anxiety over the potential for such divisive rhetoric to spiral into real-world violence and economic decline, challenging the very ethos of the state.
The Heart of the Appeal: A Community’s Integral Legacy
The letter, penned by the national president of the Akhil Bharatiya Agarwal Mahasabha, Mahesh Agarwal, serves as a powerful rebuttal to the campaign’s narrative of otherness. It meticulously outlines the profound and centuries-deep roots of the Marwadi community within the region. Agarwal emphatically states that the community is not a group of outsiders but has been an “inseparable part of Telangana’s history and culture for generations, even predating the formation of the state.”
The appeal highlights their role as neighbors, friends, and business partners—”fellow Telanganites” who have been instrumental in shaping the state’s economic destiny. The letter credits the Marwadi community with driving commerce, creating vast employment opportunities, and playing a “pivotal role in making cities like Hyderabad a thriving economic powerhouse.” This contribution, the argument goes, extends far beyond mere business. It is deeply woven into the state’s social welfare fabric through philanthropy, with the establishment and support of countless educational institutions, hospitals, and charitable trusts that serve all sections of society without discrimination.
This framing is a strategic effort to counter the campaign’s xenophobic undertones by presenting an irrefutable case for the community’s embeddedness and value. It shifts the discussion from one of narrow regionalism to one of shared history and mutual prosperity.
Deconstructing the Campaign: Prejudice and Constitutional Violations
Agarwal’s letter leaves no room for ambiguity in its assessment of the ‘Marwadi Go Back’ campaign’s foundations. It alleges the movement is built on a “foundation of prejudice, misinformation, and xenophobia.” This strong language is intended to categorize the campaign not as a legitimate political grievance but as a malicious effort to sow division.
Crucially, the appeal grounds its argument in India’s constitutional morality. It states that such targeting of an entire community based on ethnic origin is “unconstitutional and antithetical to the very spirit of India.” By invoking the celebrated concept of ‘Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb’—a historical reference to the syncretic culture of the Indo-Gangetic plains, often used to denote Hyderabad’s own composite culture—the letter appeals to a higher, shared cultural identity that transcends parochialism. It argues that these “divisive politics have no place in a progressive and forward-thinking state like Telangana,” positioning the campaign as a regressive force against the state’s modern aspirations.
The Looming Threat: Consequences of Inaction
Perhaps the most compelling section of the appeal is its stark warning of the severe consequences of allowing such hate speech to go unchecked. The letter presents a clear-eyed forecast of a deteriorating situation if the campaign is not nipped in the bud.
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Social Fragmentation: The primary fear is the creation of an “atmosphere of fear, distrust, and animosity among communities that have coexisted peacefully for ages.” This could erode the daily social harmony that defines a multicultural society like Telangana’s, turning neighbors into suspects and fracturing community bonds built over generations.
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Economic Repercussions: The appeal astutely links social stability to economic health. It warns that such campaigns “damage investor confidence and tarnish Telangana and its reputation as a safe and welcoming destination for business.” In an era where states compete fiercely for investment, a perception of instability or xenophobia can be catastrophic. The letter explicitly warns of “capital flight and job losses,” arguing that the very economic engine the state has worked to build could be sabotaged by this rhetoric. This is a direct appeal to the state’s pragmatic self-interest.
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Risk of Violence: The most immediate and dangerous threat is the potential for escalation. The letter fears that “inflammatory campaigns can easily escalate into violence, threatening the safety and security of innocent citizens.” History provides ample evidence that verbal hatred, if left unaddressed, can quickly manifest as physical harm, leading to loss of life and property and triggering a cycle of retaliation that is difficult to break.
A Test of Leadership and Constitutional Duty
This appeal to the Governor places the ball squarely in the court of the state’s constitutional authority. The Governor’s office is not just a ceremonial post; it carries the responsibility of protecting the constitutional rights of all citizens and ensuring the preservation of peace and public order.
The Akhil Bharatiya Agarwal Mahasabha’s letter is therefore a calculated move to elevate the issue above the political fray and seek intervention from an office meant to be above partisan politics. The response from Raj Bhavan will be closely watched as a barometer of the state’s commitment to pluralism and the rule of law.
The ‘Marwadi Go Back’ campaign is more than a localized dispute; it is a symptom of a broader global trend of resurgent identity politics and xenophobia. How Telangana handles this challenge will send a powerful message about its character as a state. Will it succumb to divisive forces, or will it, as the Agarwal Mahasabha hopes, reaffirm its commitment to the inclusive and prosperous vision upon which modern Telangana was built? The answer lies in the actions, or inactions, that follow this urgent appeal.
