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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

The Unequal Cousins

Raj Thackeray’s ‘sacrifice’ saved Shiv Sena (UBT) but sank the MNS Mumbai: In the volatile theatre of Maharashtra politics, the long-awaited reunion of the Thackeray cousins on the campaign trail was supposed to be the masterstroke that reclaimed Mumbai. The results of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, however, tell a story of tragic asymmetry. While the alliance has successfully helped the Shiv Sena (UBT) stem the saffron tide and regain lost ground, it has left Raj...

The Unequal Cousins

Raj Thackeray’s ‘sacrifice’ saved Shiv Sena (UBT) but sank the MNS Mumbai: In the volatile theatre of Maharashtra politics, the long-awaited reunion of the Thackeray cousins on the campaign trail was supposed to be the masterstroke that reclaimed Mumbai. The results of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, however, tell a story of tragic asymmetry. While the alliance has successfully helped the Shiv Sena (UBT) stem the saffron tide and regain lost ground, it has left Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) staring at an existential crisis. The final tally reveals a brutal reality for the MNS - Raj Thackeray played the role of the savior for his cousin, but in the process, he may have become the sole loser of the 2026 mandate. The worse part is that the Shiv Sena (UBT) is reluctant to accept this and is blaming Raj for the poor performance of his party leading to the defeat. A granular analysis of the ward-wise voting patterns exposes the fundamental flaw in this tactical alliance. The vote transfer, the holy grail of any coalition, operated strictly on a one-way street. Data suggests that the traditional MNS voter—often young, aggressive, and driven by regional pride—heeded Raj Thackeray’s call and transferred their votes to Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates in wards where the MNS did not contest. This consolidation was critical in helping the UBT hold its fortresses against the BJP's "Infra Man" juggernaut. However, the favor was not returned. In seats allocated to the MNS, the traditional Shiv Sena (UBT) voter appeared hesitant to back the "Engine" (MNS symbol). Whether due to lingering historical bitterness or a lack of instructions from the local UBT leadership, the "Torch" (UBT symbol) voters did not gravitate toward Raj’s candidates. The result? The UBT survived, while the MNS candidates were left stranded. ‘Second Fiddle’ Perhaps the most poignant aspect of this election was the shift in the personal dynamic between the Thackeray brothers. Decades ago, they parted ways over a bitter dispute regarding who would control the party helm. Raj, refusing to work under Uddhav, formed the MNS to chart his own path. Yet, in 2026, the wheel seems to have come full circle. By agreeing to contest a considerably lower number of seats and focusing his energy on the broader alliance narrative, Raj Thackeray tacitly accepted the role of "second fiddle." It was a pragmatic gamble to save the "Thackeray" brand from total erasure by the BJP-Shinde combine. While the brand survived, it is Uddhav who holds the equity, while Raj has been left with the debt. Charisma as a Charity Throughout the campaign, Raj Thackeray’s rallies were, as always, electric. His fiery oratory and charismatic presence drew massive crowds, a sharp contrast to the more somber tone of the UBT leadership. Ironically, this charisma served as a force multiplier not for his own party, but for his cousin’s. Raj acted as the star campaigner who energised the anti-BJP vote bank. He successfully articulated the anger against the "Delhi-centric" politics he accuses the BJP of fostering. But when the dust settled, the seats were won by UBT candidates who rode the wave Raj helped create. The MNS chief provided the wind for the sails, but the ship that docked in the BMC was captained by Uddhav. ‘Marathi Asmita’ Stung by the results and the realisation of the unequal exchange, Raj Thackeray took to social media shortly after the counting concluded. In an emotive post, he avoided blaming the alliance partner but instead pivoted back to his ideological roots. Urging his followers to "stick to the issue of Marathi Manoos and Marathi Asmita (pride)," Raj signaled a retreat to the core identity politics that birthed the MNS. It was a somber appeal, stripped of the bravado of the campaign, hinting at a leader who knows he must now rebuild from the rubble. The 2026 BMC election will be remembered as the moment Raj Thackeray proved he could be a kingmaker, even if it meant crowning the rival he once despised. He provided the timely help that allowed the Shiv Sena (UBT) to live to fight another day. But in the ruthless arithmetic of democracy, where moral victories count for little, the MNS stands isolated—a party that gave everything to the alliance and received nothing in return. Ironically, there are people within the UBT who still don’t want to accept this and on the contrary blame Raj Thackeray for dismal performance of the MNS, which they argue, derailed the UBT arithmetic. They state that had the MNS performed any better, the results would have been much better for the UBT.

India’s Toxic Work Culture: A Silent Mental Health Crisis

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

India’s Toxic Work Culture: A Silent Mental Health Crisis

In the middle of a particularly busy workday, earlier this week, a friend sent me a WhatsApp forward which I grudgingly opened. It was a news report announcing that a 26-year-old chartered accountant working with a leading consultancy firm in India had died. Her mother accused the organisation of “stress” over the past six months that could have led to her daughter’s death. Can mental stress cause death? I am not sure. But then, I do not have the medical credentials to attest or dispute that claim. What I am convinced about is that prolonged stress can—and does—lead to various ailments and as we know by now, most diseases originate in the mind!

I have seen the impact of ‘toxic workplaces’ on my colleagues in a different organization: a young lifestyle writer developed stomach ulcers after suffering ‘intense mental stress’ for three years at the hands of a very difficult, demanding and nasty boss. A young photographer had a mental breakdown after having a raise pulse rate each morning as she walked in through the office door and into the newsroom. What did they do? Complaints to the management were brushed aside because the question was “how could long stressful hours lead to hospital visits?”

Work pressures have, indeed, increased over the years with greater competition to keep the top job, or rather, the job you have in hand. It is only in recent years that people have started recognising the impact of workplace stress on mental health.

There are studies that corroborate this. And conversations revolving around mental health are more open and prevalent. A survey done by Deloitte this year revealed that a staggering 80 per cent of the Indian workforce reported experienced mental health issues in the past year. Another study by the National Sample Survey Office found that over 60 percent of Indian employees grapple with stress at work. The World Health Organization’s data shows how pervasive the concern is - it says that nearly one in four employees in India suffer from work-related stress.

The notorious ‘burnout’ is happening much sooner. High achieving professionals in their early 30s grapple with exhaustion and fatigue. The nature of the stress differs across geographic and demographic variations. If corporate offices exert pressure to meet deadlines, job insecurity is a factor in low paying, less skilled jobs. No matter what you do, you cannot escape stress if you work in India.

On a visit to Vienna a few years ago, I was fascinated by their 35-hours-per-week work rules. At 6 p.m., it was common to see people sauntering into cafes with their dogs to have coffee with friends; the parks were bustling at 5 p.m. And these were not retired seniors, they were all working professionals who knew when to cut off from work. India does not appreciate a work-life balance. Long hours at the desk have been glorified and hailed as ‘professionalism.’ Working weekends add to the scores during appraisals and going incommunicado post work for a family dinner or movie is a mark of ‘not being serious enough.’

This cultural shift began two decades ago, as multinationals brought with them an American work culture of rushed breakfasts, heart-pounding deadlines and the belief that longer hours equal greater achievement and therefore, fatter paychecks. What has been overlooked is that a burnt-out workforce cannot deliver results.

India’s burgeoning population means there are several contenders for the same skilled jobs leading to cut throat competition at various levels of the workforce. People in ‘private companies’—or non-government organisations—are dispensable. A hospitalised employee can very well find his job changing hands; a new mother raises her infant while worrying about keeping her job.

Round-the-clock connectivity comes at a huge personal and mental health price. Late night discussions on WhatsApp chats and dreaded emails at 4 A.M. disrupt sleep and peace. The pandemic and the work from home culture it started also has its share of blame. A senior manager at an OTT major complained that there is no cut off time when he works from home. Mornings and nights are the same as mid-day. Mental health experts tell you that disconnecting and focussing on other activities helps the mind de-stress.

Rising stress, often silent and unspoken, is a looming crisis. Few seek help, assuming it is temporary, but the toll on health, families, relationships, and productivity is severe.

Organisations lose work hours to absence caused by mental ill-health; productivity suffers even if the employee is physically at-work. Family and social relationships are taking a downturn and personal mental health is the biggest sufferer.

The change lies in new policies. In 2019, Member of Parliament Supriya Sule introduced a Private Members’ Bill called the ‘Right to Disconnect’ under which employees can refuse work outside of reasonable work hours. Australia offers employees protection from professional exploitation through a similar law where people can refuse to work outside their stipulated hours.

India Inc. is gradually waking up to the new demands for mental healthcare with counselling sessions, wellness care leave, childcare facilities and flexible work arrangements. But the implementation should be in spirit and not only on paper. Government policies such as the right to disconnect will further boost people’s ability to refuse after-hours work. Mental healthcare should not remain just lip service or a one-off human care initiative. Workplaces should be turned into safe havens, both, physically and mentally.

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