'What the Shiv Sena did was totally wrong'

Many Maharashtrians are unimpressed by the Shiv Sena's decision to disrupt the Railway Recruitment Board exam for the post of gangmen in Mumbai and attack those who had come from outside the state to take the test.

Though they agree with the party that locals must get preference in government jobs, they are against the violent tactics adopted of the Shiv Sena.

Ashish Dalvi, a B Com graduate who took the test on November 16, says, "What the Shiv Sena did was totally wrong."

He says if the party was serious about the issue it should have protested when examination forms were being distributed.

"The Shiv Sena is a partner in the central government. They can get some fruitful result by using their influence there. Their stand seems to be politically motivated to attract Marathi voters," he says.

He adds that the problem is genuine, but the Shiv Sena is dealing with it in the wrong way, and for personal gain.

Dalvi had given a railway exam in February 2003 and then, too, the Shiv Sena had created a ruckus. "No use stopping recruitment," he says.

Sandeep Dinde, another graduate, also opposes the party's stand.

He says, "It is wrong to call student for examination and beat them up. It is all central government fault."

Priority should be given to Marathi youths, and each state should evolve a formula to promote its own people, he adds.

Dinde says, "Today, nobody is fighting for the rights of unemployed youths. Everything the Shiv Sena does is for political gain, and we know it."

On why he, a graduate, wants to take a Grade IV job for which the qualification required is VIIIth pass, he says everyone wants job security, and the government provides that. He adds that for this reason he does not think much about the nature of the job.

Dinde says: "After all, a government job is a dream job for youths all over the country. So students will come for it from a long way. Why doesn't the central government think about this while sending call letters?"

These students think that if they go to other states they will get the same bad treatment that those from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh got in Maharashtra.

The Shiv Sena says students who are registered with employment exchanges should be given priority. But in reality the exchanges are hardly of much help.

Dinde says, "I got myself registered three year back, but I am still waiting for a call letter. Some of my friends have been registered for eight or 10 years. We know nothing will come out of all this, but we do it because our parents ask us to."