When I posted that it was a pathetic idea for charging fares from the migrants returning home, there were immediate protests that my post was unfounded and must be withdrawn. In a few moments, I would’ve become an anti-national, but for the several links to evidence my claim, those I had posted.
That the Centre and the states faltered in a dignified return of the migrants is beyond debate. Where in the world could one find families with children on their shoulders walk for days together to escape the uncertainties of a sudden alien atmosphere and trying to reach to the comforts of the four bare walls in their villages?
How in the world, these hapless poor were responsible for any infection? Pathetic is, where the workers were treated like animals in many unauthorized and unlicensed units sprawled all over the country. Wretched is when the states ignore their presence, save the election times.
Neither the Centre nor the states are doing any mercy for assisting in the return of the migrants to their homes. These 45 million migrants are the cog in the wheels moving the economy of the smaller industry in the nation, and suddenly they had become burdening pariahs. Everyone wanted to get rid of them from their respective states and shoe them away. Only a few governments helped to organize transport for hauling them back home.
Until yesterday the Karnataka Government wanted the migrants to leave. Trains were arranged, when the influential builders’ lobby apprehended that they will be left with none to build their palaces. The trains were cancelled, and the migrants advised to stay back, causing a hue and cry all over the country. Meekly the state government agreed to re-run the trains to ferry the workers home.
I hear that the Odisha High Court ordered that the returnees must have a Covid negative certificate if they have to enter into the Odisha. Where would the thousands arriving together have the wherewithal? 35,540 migrants have arrived in Odisha, and another 5 lacs are expected to arrive in the state in the next weeks.
My take is about our perception of the workers: Aren’t they humans? Don’t they have any self-respect and right to decide for themselves? Are they merely at the state’s pleasure to arrive and leave? Their plight is sad.
The incapacitated workers dying to return to their respective homelands have thrown open a disturbing feature. It’s disunity and diversity, divided by states with linguistic borders. It may not augur well for the country if these anomalies are not ended.
I hope the return of the migrants to the urban cities and their respective workplaces are planned in the future with lesser hassles.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
