Economic Migrants – A curse in own motherland

Courtesy: https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/pictures-long-road-home-india-migrant-workers-200422084700100.html

Amid CoVID – 19 pandemic situations in India, nation witnesses one of the largest migration of labourers from various developed/developing states of the country to their home state – Bihar/UP/Jharkhand/WB. In the lockdown condition, when the government banned Intra and interstate movement, these people dared to walk themselves with their family (kids/infants/pregnant ladies etc) towards the respective home state. Is it possible and justified? Could they walk for 2500+ km, seriously? They did! They reached their home state walking all along railway tracks, roadways without proper food, water shelter and clothing. They proved to be the most suffering community after CoVID infected patients. Why did they do this and took such deadly initiative? We would call them illiterates and fools, but “advanced society” calling them fools, should realise, that this viral infection was brought and transmitted by them in the initial phase of a pandemic. Post nationwide lockdown announced by the central government, these migrants lost their livelihood instantly. Consequently, these helpless group of poor labourers could see only one path leading to their hometown, which could at least feed their child/infant and family one – time meal and provide them shelter. However, no option left for any mode of transportation, they finally decided to walk themselves fearlessly.

Every individual got inspired and motivated to walk by themselves, their relatives, family members and friends. Their will and dare gave strength to each other and thus these people decided to start their journey and finally were called as “MIGRANTS”. Migrants literally mean an individual who roams point to point geographically to find any source of earning. Therefore, they do not have their final settlement ever. They are daily/weekly/monthly wage people. They are generally cheapest labour available in the country, a native of Bihar, UP (eastern mainly), Jharkhand, WB and Odhisa. They could not find any jobs and opportunities in their respective states ever. The state government was also never bothered about this. However, the political parties are specifically bothered about these migrated population when it comes to election. Relatives of these migrated population are asked to call their relative to cast their vote to them (national responsibility) and again go back to their work. They earn enough to feed their small family and provide shelter to them.

How are they treated by the host state? They are called as “BIHARI/BHAIYYA/ BIMARU/LALOO” etc. They are treated inhuman generally, in our own country. What is their fault? They belong to the most backward state which is and was politically driven. They are tagged as a curse (kala dhabba) to society especially in states like Maharashtra, Delhi, Punjab, Karnataka, TN, Andhra, eastern states and others. They are also tagged as “CHOR:- Sab Bihari chor hai, na?!!!” – as once said by former Indian cricket team captain. Mainstream politicians in Maharashtra once stabbed these people tagging them as CHOR. They are the same class of people who were beaten up and killed in Delhi, Punjab, Karnataka, TN and many developed states of our own country. They are same labourers who have built flyovers, skyscrapers, roads, highways, office building, and residential societies from real estates. In – fact they have built and transformed these developed states. There are approximately 20 lakh and above people from Bihar, eastern UP, Jharkhand, WB working for their livelihood as migrants. One would not be surprised, if you hear somebody saying, “Are, wo Bihari hai sala”!, “Bihari m$$$$$..” etc. Ironically, today, same Bihari, UP wala bhaiyya, WB dada etc and other poor labourers are observing sympathy from politicians, government, local administration, police, and residents of various districts via which these migrants are passing by.

Many migrants have lost their life due to a rail accident, road accident and got killed due to other reasons. These migrants once reach their home states, are quarantined by the government in various centres, where proper care have never been provided. Mainstream media, journalism sector, digital media, social media have covered these migrations in various aspects and projected to the nation in their best possible way. News viewer and readers, subsequently, show sympathy and blames their non – supportive political party and finally return to their normal lifestyle. Amid this worst scenario, some people came forward to distribute slippers, caps, masks, food, water etc to a few possible groups of migrants. Was this aid enough? No, it was not, as on an individual level, it is not possible to help on such a large scale. Local administration of districts came forward, but still helping aid could not reach every migrant. The government allowed a few trains to run point to point for these people, which helped a few thousands. In this worst effected condition, few government officials could not retain themselves from playing the corruption game. These migrants were witnessed looting vending machines at various in – between railway stations. They were not provided with food and water in a train, which could have triggered them to take such initiative. They were also found fighting against each other for food and water showing their anger. Meanwhile, all political parties and government found an opportunity to play politics over it. These migrants are then made “bali ka BAKRA” with which game of politics is played. How AAM nagrik/junta could be behind. They too found an opportunity to promote themselves over social media by sympathizing. Thousands of videos went viral on TIKTOK/Twitter/Facebook etc showing migrants walking helplessly. There are numerous videos as well as trending on these social media, where few policemen, local administration, NGOs, localities are found providing AID to these migrants. They became a superhero and star in just one night. But what consequently those migrants got? A life-threatening journey, where they lost their loved ones.

Who is to be blamed after all, for this? Are they migrants, central government, political parties or respective state government? In my opinion, it is state government who must be held responsible, firstly, for such inhuman disaster. Why does state resident need to travel out in helplessness condition? Secondly, blame must be put on the employer who did not bother about these invaluable human resources. Big celebrities and political leaders with crores of assets could have shown some humanity in their respective places and come forward to help these people. It is not difficult for the government to open public places and monuments to provide shelter to these migrants until public transports resume their service. They all need is two times meal (roti daal or rice and water at least. They don’t demand lavish food items). It could have been easily handled by the central government, local government, rich celebrities and big business tycoons together. Had the fund raised by central government and NGOs, honestly utilised against these economic migrants, such disastrous situation would not have been observed. A big hand of their togetherness could have provided a significant life-saving shelter for these MIGRANTS.

By: Amit Kumar Chauhan