The return of migrants to their respective villages and its plight has taken the country by storm. It is only a pandemic like Covid 19, which has created an awareness of the magnitude of the migrants spread out across our country. The uneven development, evident from the large-scale exodus of youth from U.P., Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha explains the weaker economic growth and job opportunities for the hungry youth. It is not a secret these days to see Northern youth in abundance in the southern states, as those eligible for jobs have ventured West Asia or taken up entrepreneurial activities.
Covid 19 has reached in many countries, in February 2020 itself and the government of India had ample time to draw a strategic plan to combat the virus, including that of the migrants, return. However, none could foresee two things: the extent of virus spread and the intensity of the virus infection. A two-week lockdown was not seen sufficient when successive extensions were made. Various international institutions predicted a spike in India from the middle of May to August.
Unable to burden the accompanied losses, the government permitted reopening economic activities. The states did not want to carry the load of migrants who were becoming restive and started walking home, some 4-5 days and carrying their meagre belongings. The country suddenly awakened to the enormity of the reverse migration of the workers. They had overnight lost their status as workers, as catalysts in economic growth and as human beings. They were betrayed by an unsympathetic society, irreverent system and laws, bureaucracy and crafty politics.
Only when their agonizing long walk back to their homes were on the media all over the world, the country and the government woke up. But the timing was terrible, as the Covid was vigorously fought, the country nearly succeeding in it. The reverse exodus of millions to each state might result in a flare-up of the virus, similar to the flip-flop over the opening, shutting and reopening of the liquor shops, disregarding any social distancing.
The opposition in the meanwhile feel redundant with their virtual inactivity, and they swung into action, one leader declaring to fund the trains and another offering a thousand buses. While every initiative by every political party must be welcome, announcements must be honest and positive. What is paining is the ‘us and they,’ distinction present between political leadership, even while the nation is fighting its worst battle since independence.
This is not a time for one-upmanship, for media bytes, the ego runs, or for any disparaging remarks. A few mischievous appearances of three-wheeler or two-wheeler vehicle numbers in a list of a thousand buses offered magnanimously by a political opponent must not be rewarded with an FIR. The lapse evidently could not be intended, as the consequences could tarnish the image of any political entity and must be ignored at times like this! Two million workers have returned, but another twenty million could be waiting to reach their homes.
Let the migrants’ problem not become another ‘India Shining,’ episode from the past and re-write the political future of India!
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
