Reality and instructions of the Supreme Court

The railways, that had been indifferent for so many days, is now definitely talking about investigation. That too, only when recently the Honorable Supreme Court and the National Human Rights Commission, have taken cognizance and reprimanded the government for this mismanagement and have called for a due investigation. On one hand, taking cognizance of the suffering of these workers trapped in different parts of the country, the Supreme Court has asked the states not to charge any fee from the migrants and that food and water be provided to them. On the other hand, the NRC in a statement said, that states have failed to protect the lives of these poor laborers aboard trains. The statement further said, “It has been alleged in a report that many migrant workers lost their lives while travelling by train”. There was no arrangement of food and potable water. The Commission has issued a notice to the Union Home Secretary, Railways and the Governments of Gujarat and Bihar to give a detailed reply in four weeks. So far, it is well known from the government’s intention what the direction of investigation will be. Sir, you might change the course of investigation, but according to media reports, 82 people have lost their lives due to the train gone astray. You can neither divert this truth nor can make people digress from the fact that, even now, 67% of people are still lingering in the outskirts.

A report released by ‘Swan’ has revealed that about 75% people still want to go home. Keeping these problems in mind, on June 9, the Honorable Supreme Court in a decision, has placed a huge responsibility on the Central government and the state governments, giving a deadline of 15 days for ensuring the return of migrant laborers to their homes; which includes proper arrangement of transportation, prompt action by railways on demand by states, comprehensive management of their livelihoods by the state governments etc. Although it seems a bit strange to take cognizance of it after so many days, but let’s just follow the proverb of ‘Better late than never’. It remains to be seen what action the governments take on this? Because the saddest part is that the democratic government elected by their votes, deprived them of their fundamental right to live respectfully, even after so many years of independence; which is extremely disappointing.