Sheena Sandhu
The murder of little Harvir on September 9 in rural Hoshiarpur is a heartbreak too terrible to ignore. In the face of such horror—abduction, sexual violence, and murder—our grief, anger, and demand for justice are entirely understandable. But if our response turns into collective punishment of migrant workers, we risk committing a second sin: allowing fear to exalt bias, prejudice, and scapegoating over justice.
The Stakes: Migrant Labour Is Not a Problem; Protections Are
Punjab’s economy—especially agriculture—depends heavily on migrant labour. Seasonal and inter-state migration fills the gap when local labour is scarce, especially for paddy transplantation, harvesting, and related work. Without migrants, many small farms would collapse or yield far less; many towns would see labour shortages in construction, services, domestic help, and daily commerce.
At the same time, these workers are often among the most vulnerable. They may lack formal housing, documentation, social protection, or even basic legal aid. Many endure tough working conditions for low pay, with little access to healthcare or education for their children. To turn resentment against these people rather than demand systemic protections is both unfair and shortsighted.
Why Resentment Is Not a Solution
- Collective Punishment Breeds Injustice. Holding all migrants responsible for the crime of one individual is not only unfair; it undermines the very rule of law we demand. It risks stigmatizing and scapegoating people who came, often out of need, seeking honest work.
- It Erodes Moral Standing. Our outrage is justified—but how we respond matters. If the response is collective fear and exclusion, we echo the same horror we seek to condemn. By contrast, justice that is precise, proportional, and above tribal or communal lines affirms the best of our values: fairness, compassion, dignity for all.
- It Weakens Social and Economic Bonds. Removing rights, denying services, or driving people away doesn’t just hurt migrants—it hurts local businesses, farmers, communities. The food we eat, the construction that enables infrastructure, the services that support daily life—all require labour. Disrupting that ecosystem harms everyone in the long run.
What Justice Should Mean—Not Anger
It is vital that the state and society channel grief and rage toward real accountability, not xenophobia. A proper justice response should include:
- Swift, transparent investigation and trial. The accused must be given due process. Evidence must be collected and handled with care. If guilt is established, the punishment should be severe—as the law defines—and mercy is not demanded by law in cases of heinous crimes.
- Support for the victim’s family. Compensation, counselling, and social support must be assured; they deserve both a public acknowledgment of their suffering and material help.
- Reinforcement of law enforcement capacity. To prevent such crimes, policing, child protection services, community watch, safe spaces—all must be strengthened.
- Legal safeguards for migrants. The rights of migrant workers—whether to a safe working environment, fair pay, basic services, and protection against discrimination—must be reinforced. Existing laws such as the Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act (now subsumed under newer labour codes) have provisions to protect interstate workers; but implementation has often been weak.
- Community leadership. Panchayats, churches, gurdwaras, mosques, civil society—all must lead messages of inclusion, not exclusion. Religious and local leaders carrying the message that one crime does not define a whole group can make a difference.
A Call to Punjab—and to Us All
Punjab has always been a land of hard work, sacrifice, and hospitality. We know what it is to migrate or send family members to distant lands. No one would want their beloved to be judged not by their character, but by origin.
Yes, this crime demands punishment. But in punishing the individual, we must not punish the innocent many. We must not allow anger to mutate into a movement that threatens social harmony.
Let us insist on a justice that is measured and righteous. Let us channel our outrage into strengthening laws, protecting the vulnerable—not into discrimination. Let us remember that every human being, however small or distant, deserves dignity and fairness.
Punjab can emerge from these tragic hours not as a place scarred by fear, but as one that reaffirms its commitment to justice—not just for some, but for all.
(The writer is a retired civil servant, views are personal)