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The mass exodus of Hindi-speaking migrants from parts of North and Central Gujarat during the last few days eased on Tuesday.
Officials persuaded migrants to return home and to their workplaces in Ahmedabad, assuring them safety and security. The police combed vulnerable areas in Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) estates and provided emergency contact phone numbers to migrants to reassure them.
Upcoming elections
With the Assembly elections next month in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh panicked the ruling party of a possible negative fallout. All-round pressure, therefore, mounted on the State government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah reportedly pulled up officials while Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh took stock of the situation.
The exodus of Hindi-speaking migrants remained non-violent but became an inter-community and inter-State problem which spread through social media. Thousands of migrant labourers left the State
Pressure from Industries
Under the political and business establishments’ pressure, the entire government machinery was pressed in to defuse the crisis. Chief Secretary JN Singh and DGP Shivanand Jha, were asked to contain the contagion, sources said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditya Nath and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed concern to State Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
Political reactions
Maharashtra Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam sought to remind Modi that he represented Varanasi in Parliament, while BSP chief Mayawati said, “those who campaigned and voted for you are now being expelled from Gujarat.”
In Rajasthan, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said the BJP Government in Gujarat had “failed” to create fresh jobs, leaving locals dissatisfied.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA Alpesh Thakur offered to resign from the Gujarat Vidhan Sabha, claiming a “political conspiracy” to malign him, his community and the Gujarat Kshatriya Thakur Sena. In a purported controversial video, which went viral on social media, Thakure was allegedly seen exhorting his supporters against the migrants: “Non-Gujaratis are stealing your jobs. Gujaratis are being expelled from other States. Now, Gujaratis are jobless in Gujarat itself.”
Thakur said, “Don’t link this speech with any group or community. The Thakurs are not involved in the attacks. No one has been hospitalised. It is a conspiracy to fan casteism and parochialism. Please don’t play dirty politics over the rape of a 14-month-old girl.”
Violence broke out last week triggering the exodus after a migrant labourer allegedly raped a 14-month-old girl in North Gujarat.
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