Overnight the unfolding tragedy brought home the tragic sub-text of Covid-19 disease in India: it is (at least in origin) a rich man’s disease and a poor man’s burden. Undoubtedly, the administration, both the Centre and the state, have failed these migrants in Delhi. Worryingly, a similar exodus should logically be playing out in the metros in south India—the new destination for migrants since the turn of the Millennium. Exactly why the migrants would rather risk their lives in reaching home than trust the state support mechanism. Anil Padmanabhan is managing editor of Mint and writes every week on the intersection of politics and economics.

Source: Mint March 29, 2020 15:45 UTC