Vulnerable classes

Reference to ‘Blood on our tracks’ (Nous Indica, May 9). The article clearly illustrates that the Central and the state governments have been indifferent in treating the vulnerable classes. It is time the government understands that more people will die due to hunger and unemployment than the coronavirus itself. The Aurangabad train accident is only due to livelihood issues and the worst part is that none have an innovative solution to mitigate the miseries of these workers. The controversial and radical labour reforms will work in the interest of the labourers only if we put into place income security instead of job security. The government should legislate on social security and unemployment allowances, to ensure that there is no repetition of such tragedies.

Rajiv Boolchand Jain, Zirakpur

Plight of working class

Refer to ‘Blood on our tracks’ (Nous Indica, May 9); the mega events, first in Houston in September last year and then the replicated Namaste Trump event in Ahmedabad in February, ironically overlooking the worldwide coronavirus outbreak fears and the Delhi riots, display the toxic side of power politics and prove the hypocritical side of democracy. What former judge Deepak Gupta said recently about the legal system being geared to favour the rich and the influential holds true. The flight and plight of the working class out on the roads — in cement mixer trucks or on railway tracks — attest to our political, economic, social and judicial fiasco.

Abhimanyu Malik, Jind

Callous approach

The tragic death of migrant workers near Aurangabad may have been an accident, but it highlights the utter callousness with which workers, whom poverty forces to seek a livelihood outside their states, are treated. They will remain like dumb cattle without entitlements in the eyes of the authorities until they organise to speak up for themselves. Apart from being ethically objectionable, their present vulnerability is economically counterproductive. Agriculture, construction work and medium and small-scale enterprises depend upon them.

SC Dhall, Zirakpur

Run trains to capacity

Apropos of the editorial ‘No homecoming’( May 9), is it not a farcical paradox that while a large majority of hapless migrants are being made to walk long distances in close clusters, the few trains that are being put into service to carry a few lucky ones, run almost empty in the name of social distancing? In fact, these trains should be allowed to carry passengers, after proper screening, to their full capacities, so that the migration process ends early.

Balvinder, by mail

Rail mishap inquiry

This refers to the editorial ‘No homecoming’ (May 9). Though the Railways has ordered an inquiry into the exact cause of the accident, it is difficult for a speeding train to stop at short notice despite applying emergency brakes. Unfortunately, migrant workers have been forced to walk to reach their native places owing to the nationwide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of Covid-19. Many of them have died on way either due to hunger or because of other mishaps. The government must provide proper rail or bus transport to avoid such unfortunate deaths.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Fix accountability

Reference to the editorial ‘Another gas tragedy’ (May 9); the Vizag LG Polymers plant is an ISO-certified facility, which means it has a protocol for everything. The people who died or were seriously injured due to leakage of styrene have become the first victims of the lockdown exit. Accountability must be fixed on the management for ignoring the rules.

SS Paul, Nadia

Vizag gas tragedy

Refer to the editorial ‘Another gas tragedy’ (May 9), it is shocking that so many people lost their lives while many others were hospitalised after a chemical gas leaked at a pharmaceutical company in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam. People complained of burning sensation in eyes and difficulties in breathing following which they were admitted to the hospital. There is an urgent need for the NDRF to evacuate people from the nearby villages. There must also be a CBI probe to find out the details and those guilty must be sent to jail.

BB Thadani, by mail

Mother’s Day

A mother is always with her child during the worst and the best of times, the only person whose love is pure and unlimited for her children. She needs love and a smile from her children to make her life a pleasure. Don’t mothers deserve a smile? They do because they only demand happiness from their children. Mother’s Day is a memorable day for everyone.

Jubel D’Cruz, by mail

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