These immigrants also Kutumbakam

Videos on social media supposedly showing 'Hindi-speaking' men being assaulted in Tamil Nadu have been thankfully confirmed as fake. Those responsible for posting and sharing them should be punished according to law. While many north Indian migrants have reportedly left the state ostensibly to celebrate Holi back home - and not because they fear for their safety - this would be an opportune time to go to the nub of the problem that, unfortunately, is not always fabricated. For a country that celebrates its diaspora story across the world, the narrow-mindedness that can be on show from its own citizens towards migrants from various parts of India is beguiling. No amount of invoking national one-ness seems to be able to fix this xenophobia once and for all. Being a citizen of India and being afraid of working and living in a part of India because of regional animosity is not the hallmark of one nation, let alone 'One nation, one ration card'. Along with 'Vasudhaiva', let 'Desh' be also Kutumbakam with freedom of mobility and to work and live for all citizens.

The number of internal migrants in India, according to the 2011 census, is 45.36 crore - 37% of the country's population. Out of India's over 50 crore-strong workforce (2016), about 20%, or above 10 crore people, are migrants, including inter- and intra-state. As in the case of Indians migrating abroad for better prospects, 'domestic NRIs' go to greener pastures for better life and livelihood. So, no surprise that of the 17 districts that account for the top 25% domestic out-migration among men are from Uttar Pradesh (10), Bihar (6) and Odisha (1).

Both India and Indians have not only embraced globalisation but now celebrate it, via the stories of prosperity among Indians as well as their rise in political, academic and corporate positions in countries that have welcomed them. The free flow of Indians within India should similarly be not just allowed but encouraged. 'National-isation' - the smallest unit of global-isation - also benefits and enriches the host state.