A migrant worker working in Tamil Nadu has been stabbed by a few people who thought migrant workers steal the employment opportunities of Tamils. The injured migrant worker was admitted in the government hospital by onlookers and is undergoing treatment.
Amit Kumar, a migrant worker staying in Thiruvallur and working in a private company there, went to buy groceries on Jan 15 along with his fellow migrant workers. They were abused by some Tamil youths who reportedly said that Tamils don’t get jobs because of the migrants and asked “North Indians to not come to TN”. They proceeded to attack Amit Kumar using a knife. As Amit tried to defend himself he sustained a deep wound on his left palm.
Onlookers rescued Amit Kumar and admitted him in the government hospital for treatment. The four youngsters Vijay, Velu, Majith s/o Akmal Khan and Moinuddin who attacked Amit Kumar have been arrested. On January 11, another migrant worker, estimated to be around 30-35 years old, was beaten to death by farmers who suspected him of stealing. His body was found floating on the Noyyal river near Perur, Coimbatore.
Initially police booked a case under section 174 (suspicious death) after recovering the body. But later it was found that he was reportedly caught by farmers who claimed that he trespassed into their farm and tried to steal something. He was tied to a tree and lynched by the farmers. Later they informed the local police but the Special Sub-Inspector of Alandurai police station who visited the spot said that he cannot take the worker with him as he cannot identify him.
He reportedly promised to take him to the police station the next morning but when he arrived he was informed that the worker had escaped in the wee hours. But the police found out that the worker had in fact succumbed to the wounds sustained in the assault and the farmers had dumped him in the river. 2 sub-inspectors have been transferred to the district armed reserve for failing to rescue the migrant worker and not reporting it to the higher officials.
The anti-North campaign seems to be gaining traction day by day as even the ruling DMK strengthens it. Fake Hindi imposition charges and allegations that the centre fills most of the vacancies in TN with “North Indians” have brewed a bitterness in the society. Tamil nationalists and Islamists are also feeding the fire by alleging that Bharatiyas from other states snatch employment and business opportunities from Tamils. In February 2021, Islamists issued pamphlets demanding Marwaris to leave TN and threatened them with violence.
In January 2020, Tamil nationalists had organised a protest in Trichy as a part of which they forcibly shut the shops of Marwaris. In another form of protest they stuck stickers saying “We will not rent/lease to non-Tamils”, “We will not do business with non-Tamils” in houses and shops. This is being compared to Hindu leaders’/organisations’ calls to boycott Muslim shops and businesses. But the fact that Muslims indirectly enforce Islamic principles through their businesses or how the money they earn is used for terrorism is forgotten.
While DMK claims to be working to establish equality and social justice, the reality is anything but. DMK leaders, even at the level of ministers, often abuse Bharatiyas from Northern states as “cow urine drinkers”. With such hatred at display from even those in responsible position, there is no wonder migrant workers face such hatred from a section of Tamils.
