Bengalureans back workers’ right to go home

BENGALURU: The Karnataka government’s decision to discontinue special trains for migrant workers led to a public outcry on Thursday.
Bengalureans held symbolic demonstrations on rooftops, balconies and frontyards, denouncing the government’s move. At several places, groups of demonstrators stood on the road, six feet apart, and waved placards backing migrants’ right to return home.
Twitter was flooded with pictures of people holding placards with messages urging the government to continue running trains to take migrant workers back home with #TrainsForMigrantsNow.
Social-distancing norms were followed during a demonstration held at Cooke Town and near Infantry Road. On placards were messages like ‘Let workers live and leave with dignity’ and ‘Say no to bonded labour’.
“There are 13 construction sites around Cooke Town and they have nearly 150 migrant labourers. None of the builders or contractors came to meet them during the lockdown and food provided by BBMP was sparse,” said Anjali Lal, a resident. “When we heard special trains were stopped, we were outraged. A small group of residents decided to stand in front of our houses with messages on placards,” she added.
Madhu Bhushan, another resident, said, “If migrant workers want to go home, the government should let them. Anything else is inhuman.”
“This was our way of letting people in power know the decision is undemocratic,” said Poorna Ravishankar, who protested near Infantry Road.