The Rape Of Mumbai

Mumbaikar or not, that seems to be the question on everyone’s lips these days not only in the city of dreams but across the country. I am no Raj Thackeray fan nor do I align myself with any political party. But I do believe that the question of should the uncontrolled migration be allowed to continue needs to be addressed as in yesterday.

I can see politicians and people from other parts of the country jumping to wring my throat at my wish to get the question addressed. I can hear voices of freedom of movement, and the constitution being thrown at me.

But that does not answer my question of whether migration should continue unabated?

My answer to that question is an emphatic NO. The reason: every city--its infrastructure, legal system, ability to provide effective governance--is capable of supporting a certain number of people. And when the limit is breached, we are increasingly looking at chaos, anarchy, corruption and all the other ills that go with lawlessness.

I understand that people will flock to where they can earn a livelihood. And of late politicians are increasingly flaunting this argument to support mass exodus from villages to cities such as Mumbai. And believe me these politicians do not give a damn of the Constitution or of peoples’ rights.

They, dear friends, are just saving their own skins. Otherwise why is it that people of the ilk of Amar Singh, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mulayam Singh, Abu Azmi, Kripashankar Singh—the list is endless—not touching upon the core reason of why are people from states across the country flocking into Mumbai.

The reason why people are rushing to cities such as Mumbai is lack of employment opportunities, governance, water, electricity, law and order and such issues in their villages and towns. And who is responsible for providing these facilities in the towns and villages across the country? It is that of the very politicians who now are fighting for the right of people to migrate.

To me it is shameful on their part that they are unable to take care of people in their own constituencies and are now forcing them on a city that is already overburdened and where people are reduced to live like sardines in a can.

Today these politicians are advocating the right of people to migrate. And a time will come in the near future when Mumbai will run out of place where slums can be built. At that time I have no doubt that these very politicians will advocate the rights of migrants to forcibly enter and occupy homes of Mumbaikars claiming right to a roof over the head.

Can Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav and Mr. Amar Singh answer a few questions? Lalu ruled Bihar for 15 years and if he is the champion of the oppressed as he claims to be, then why is it that he did not create employment opportunities for residents of Bihar? Mulayam was in power in UP. And Amar Singh was his advisor. Then why didn’t he see to it that the government created enough jobs for the people of the state?

I am sure that these leaders will have no answers to my query. But I am sure that they will find a way to term me anti-national for raising valid but sticky queries.

For the problem of migration to stop, the country needs political will. The will to create opportunities that will allow businesses to flourish across the country. That will create jobs and opportunities. When that happens, migration will automatically stop.

I do not think that people coming from anywhere in India to cities like Mumbai love the thought of living in abject poverty and squalor. They do so because they have no option back home. But that does not mean that people should be allowed to just climb into trains and buses and swamp cities.

So the option is clear and the onus lies with the Political Class. Instead of trying to divide people for narrow, near-term political gains, these men in Khadi, or should I say synthetic Khadi, should work towards national progress. That will automatically stop this problem of migration.

But the question is do politicians have the will, and ever important, the decency to put personal gains aside and work for the betterment of India. As of now, the answer is NO. And that is a sad testament of a country--rich in culture and heritage—that is increasingly looking to the world like a bride decked up but nowhere to go.