The Uttar Pradesh government sent 200 buses from Agra and another 100 from Jhansi to Rajasthan’s Kota, where thousands of students from across the country preparing for competitive exams have been stranded due to the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown. The buses being sent to bring back the students who are stuck in Kota have not gone down well with other states. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar called it “injustice” and against the principle of the nationwide lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The move of the UP government has the potential to open a Pandora’s box. Soon other states might make similar demands.
At a time when migrant workers are stuck in various parts of country and are demanding to be allowed to go back home, this special treatment being given to student communities of UP will hurt the sentiments of the migrant workers. The government should not be selective. The poor are forced to follow the lockdown measures, even though they are suffering a lot. They are being treated like second-class citizens in their own country. It seems there are two set of laws for the people in the country. This kind of discriminatory behaviour will only create further divisions in the society. The government of India should intervene in the issue and work out a solution acceptable to everyone.