Slavery: K’taka Order Cancelling Trains For Migrants Criticised

Karnataka CM cancelled all trains that were to ferry migrant workers after a meeting with industry leaders.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa cancelled special trains that were to ferry migrant workers to their home towns from Wednesday, 6 May, after a meeting with leading property developers of the state.

A senior government official had earlier told The Quint that although there was no reason given for withdrawing the trains, it was decided in the meeting that migrant workers were needed to revive the state’s economy.

The move has invoked sharp criticism, with some even comparing the situation to “slavery.” The decision to discuss the problem of migrants workers with business leaders and not the labourers themselves was also questioned.

Following the meeting with builders, the Karnataka CM released a statement that read: “The COVID-19 situation in the State is in control when compared to other States. Barring the red zones, business, construction work and industrial activities have to be resumed. In this background, it was explained that unnecessary travel of the migrant workers has to be controlled.”

Two trains that left for Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand on Tuesday from Bengaluru became the last trains that took back migrant workers to their home states.