By Satinder Bains
CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is under fire for its inability to contain the growing anger against migrant workers in Punjab. The escalating hostility, triggered by recent crimes allegedly involving migrants, has exposed both a fragile law-and-order system and the government’s failure to protect the rights of locals as well as migrant communities.
Village Panchayats Lead the Backlash
Several village panchayats across Punjab have passed controversial resolutions imposing bans on the stay of migrant workers and even calling for cancellation of their voting rights. Demands are also emerging for a law to prohibit non-Punjabis from purchasing agricultural land in the state, similar to restrictions in Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.
This surge of resentment follows a shocking case in Hoshiarpur district, where a migrant allegedly committed sexual assault and murder of a child. The incident sparked widespread anger, forcing many migrants to flee their villages under pressure.
A Pattern of Violence and Distrust
The Hoshiarpur tragedy is not an isolated case. Earlier, in Sohana village of Mohali district, two Punjabi youths were killed in a clash with migrants, which too led to bans imposed by local panchayats. Rising cases of snatching, theft, and violent crimes involving criminal elements from states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have deepened the perception that migrants are disturbing Punjab’s social balance.
Yet, the picture is more complex. Migrants—especially from Bihar—play a vital role in Punjab’s economy, from paddy sowing and wheat harvesting to driving the state’s industries in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and elsewhere. Their contribution to Punjab’s development over generations is undeniable. Many migrant families are now in their third and fourth generations in the state, their children fluent in Punjabi and fully integrated into the culture.
Failure of Law and Governance
Analysts say the anti-migrant tirade reflects not only social tensions but also the Mann government’s incompetence in handling law and order. While Punjab already has legal provisions requiring verification of tenants and migrants, implementation has been virtually non-existent. District magistrates and police chiefs have vast powers under existing security laws, but a lack of political will has led to administrative paralysis.
The state has also failed to devise any concrete policy to regulate or document the inflow of migrants. This vacuum has created fertile ground for both criminal elements to slip in unchecked and for locals to blame the entire migrant community.
Policy Options and the Road Ahead
Observers argue that the AAP government must address the rising demand for a ban on the purchase of agricultural land by outsiders, except in cases where land is allotted by government agencies for urban development. Such a law, they say, would satisfy the sentiments of local residents opposed to the unchecked influx of migrants. Alongside legal measures, the government should also prepare a programme to educate and train migrant workers about Punjab’s traditions, language, and cultural ethos to foster social harmony.
Political and Electoral Dimensions
Migrant workers have also become a sizeable vote bank. Many of them are registered as voters in Punjab despite retaining voter IDs in their native states, raising concerns of double enrolment. Political parties have largely avoided addressing this sensitive issue, fearing electoral backlash.
Chief Minister’s Dilemma
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has defended the right of migrants to live and work in Punjab, acknowledging their critical role in agriculture and industry. However, his government has so far failed to strike a balance between upholding constitutional rights and addressing legitimate concerns over law, order, and unchecked migration.
Conclusion
While the present unrest is not solely the making of the current government, critics argue that it is the Mann administration’s duty to defuse tensions, enforce existing security laws, and ensure harmony between locals and migrants. Unless the government acts decisively, Punjab risks deepening social divides and jeopardizing the very workforce that sustains its fields and factories.