The coronavirus pandemic has been devastating for the world's migrants. India, a country with a high density of population, is no exception to this. Amidst the lockdown phase travel bans, closed borders and living conditions have amplified the risks of the migrant labour force. A huge chunk of the Indian labour force is unskilled and belong to the unorganized sectors of the society. Yesterday, Mumbai, the financial capital of India, witnessed a large number of migrant workers out on roads. They were demanding transport arrangements to go back to their native places. The Mumbai Police lathi-charged them and the whole scenario was extremely unprecedented and certainly didn't do well to the cause of the migrant workers stuck helplessly in the crisis.

The incident on Sunday afternoon may look to be a repeat of the Delhi incident where migrant workers were left stranded and ultimately started walking to their destinations back home. But, in reality, the scenario was slightly different. At 3 PM, around 1000 daily wage earners assembled at suburban Bandra (West) depot near the railway station. In no time, images and videos from the location became viral on social media platforms. Local police officials dispersed the migrants in two hours and they were assured of accommodation and food by the state government. A similar incident was reported in Mumbra, a suburb in the Thane district as well. Incidentally, yesterday in the morning hours, PM Narendra Modi announced the extension of the lockdown till May 3rd.

There is no denying the fact that the concern of the migrant workers, especially the daily wage earners is real. The coronavirus pandemic has been a disaster for the unorganized sector. Many of them don't have money to buy food, nor they have money to pay rent. Although the central government has begun Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the poor, people not within the folds of the banking system are yet to receive the social benefits. When the 21-day lockdown was announced in March, it was mentioned that the migrant workers don't need to panic and the local state governments and union territories are going to take care of their essentials. The irresponsible Kejriwal government in Delhi made a mess of it and the whole world witnessed a mass exodus of daily wage earners going back home on road in most unhealthy circumstances. Some of them even perished before completing their journeys way back home. The repeat of such in Mumbai calls for the role of the Shiv Sena ruled Maharashtra government.

Misinformation and fake news triggered this unfortunate incident which the Shiv Sena failed to contain. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Vinay Dubey, one of those arrested, allegedly spread misinformation via Facebook Live and appealed to the migrant workers to come to the police station in large numbers to protest against lack of food arrangements. ABP Mazha's News Reporter Rahul Kulkarni (mentioned in The Quint) is also accused of mentioning in the news that trains have begun running.

One must not forget that trains to UP, Bihar, Bengal and other states don't go through Bandra terminus. Most of the agitating migrant workers weren't carrying bags or belongings. No bulk SMS were sent either. It appears that the whole agitation was organised by any political outfit. The indiscriminate lathi-charge of the local police didn't help the situation either. The last thing the Nation doesn't deserve it this time of coronavirus pandemic is a political vendetta. These are times not to look about voters, political sympathy or individual gains - but National interest. No doubt, if Balasaheb Thackeray had been alive, he wouldn't have allowed such an incident at Maharashtra. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray needs to work in coordination with the central government to fight this humanitarian crisis.

The migrant workers and the daily wage earners are assets of the nation. It is the responsibility of the central government and all state governments to look after them and make sure that they don’t suffer at this time of coronavirus pandemic. What happened in Mumbai, irrespective of which party or institution or individual behind, is an utter shame to humanity. The fruits of social protection, which the PM Narendra Modi mentioned categorically in his 10 AM speech, must be accessible for all. Otherwise, the basic ethos of Bharat will be at stake.

Image Credits: The News Minute