Mumbai, 8th May, 2020: The death of 16 migrant workers in a railway accident is heart-wrenching and highly condemnable. It is the collective failure of our governments; both at the Centre and in the State, to address the issue of migrant workers stranded in the country due to the lockdown, said Rizwanur Rahman Khan, President of Jamaat e Islami Hind, Maharashtra. He said, “Many decisions are stuck between the Centre and State government resulting in an ineffective policy for the poor workers.”
He echoed the demand by academicians to declare the issue of migrant workers as a “National Emergency” on the lines of Vande Bharat mission, for Indians stranded abroad. Our Government should come up with a concrete plan for the travel of migrant workers stranded in different parts of India.

The JIH Maharashtra President welcomed the announcement of Rs. 5 lakhs compensation by the Maharashtra Government but demanded Rs. 20 lakhs compensation from the Railway Ministry of India.

He also pointed out to the communication gap between the State Government and migrant workers. He said that the Government should make sure that its announcement and decisions must reach these workers. He also added that the Government should provide facilities of Covid19 Testing in the shelter homes only.

He directed the members and workers of Jamaat e Islami Hind in Aurangabad and Jalna to make it sure that all the government and other help reach the victims of the accident. He said, “Our workers in Aurangabad and other parts of the state should provide all the necessary relief to the migrant workers and those affected by the lockdown.” He also declared that Jamaat e Islami Hind is always ready to cooperate with the government authorities in this time of crisis.

Issued By:

Media Cell, JIH Maharashtra