Democracy and migrants

The tragedy of migrant workers following the nation-wide lockdown, imposed with four hours’ notice on March 24, is still fresh in the national consciousness. The lockdown was first extended to April 14, and then to June 8. Thousands of migrant workers in cities were rendered out of work with no salaries and with rent to pay despite the government’s instructions to the contrary. With whatever little money they had dwindling rapidly, they decided to go home to their villages. Since public transport such as trains and buses came to a standstill, the migrants were left with literally no option except to walk home.