Mass Movement of migrant workers during Lockdown

Covid-19 has more or less impacted almost every country around the globe but the response
and result of this impact has been varied across the countries mostly owing to the unique
variables involved in shaping a country. With coronavirus cases slowly increasing in the
month of March 2020, PM Modi announced a nationwide lockdown of 21 days on 24th March
in order to curb the spread of coronavirus outbreak in India. This sudden announcement took
the nation by surprise with lakhs of individuals getting struck at places far off from their
home and loved ones. impacted, the migrant workers. Within hours they lost their livelihood
and were forced to take up the strong decision of migrating back to their villages often on
foot and bicycles. This reverse migration is certainly one of the most concerning events
owing to the fact that this was only the second-largest mass migration in history after the
Partition of India in 1947 which saw the migration of over 14 million individuals across the
border.

Soon the pictures depicting the plight of these workers were making rounds on social media
and newsrooms with everyone posting stories and comments to show solidarity with this
group. The #MeTooMigrant movement which was trending on twitter took a bitter turn when
privileged individuals governments across the country ramped up their existing infrastructure
to support and help them. Delhi government developed quarantine homes and shelters for the
deprived migrants with food support for over 2.2 million individuals under Free Ration
Scheme (Delhi Government) and One Nation One Ration Card Scheme (Central
Government). Following the guidelines issued by MHA, other states like UP, Rajasthan, and
Bihar made plans and appointed officers to initiate the process of bringing back their people
struck in different states keeping in mind safety and social distancing norms. This event made
international headlines exposing India’s preparedness in terms of health and safety concerns
for its individuals.

The mass movement has increased the possibility of escalation of the existing coronavirus
situation in India with the probable shift of Covid-19 cases from urban to rural areas. Further,
this event has left a large part of Indian population depressed with compromised mental
health. Less manpower in cities will directly impact the productivity of the labour-intensive
industries like construction, textile, etc. leading to further economic slowdown even after the
country opens up after the lockdown.
 References:
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/states-prepare-to-bring-migrant-workers-
home/story-wBQBMX4muFNuQ7kJREZViJ.html

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0188440920309401#bib4

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/covid-19-crisis-sharad-yadav-india-lockdown-migrant-
workers-6398931/

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/lockdown-in-india-has-impacted-
40-million-internal-migrants-world-bank/articleshow/75311966.cms?from=mdr

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/coronavirus-outbreak-total-cases-death-toll-migrant-crisis-
1682254-2020-05-26

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/04/the-pandemic-exposes-indias-two-
worlds/609838/

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