Mains Marathon

Approach :

• Introduce the Push-Pull Theory of migration and contrast it with the broader reality.
• Discuss the multidimensional drivers of migration.
• Conclude with a suitable way forward.

Introduction:

Migration in India and globally has traditionally been understood through the push-pull model, where economic hardship or natural calamities "push" individuals out of their origin, and better opportunities "pull" them elsewhere. However, such a model is inadequate in capturing the complex interplay of political, cultural, environmental, and economic forces that compel people to migrate—not as a choice, but as a means of survival and resistance.

Body:

Beyond Push-Pull: Multidimensional Drivers of Migration

• Political Dimension: Migration is often a consequence of political instability, conflict, or persecution.
  • Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in India due to conflicts in Kashmir, Chhattisgarh (due to Maoist insurgency), and Northeast ethnic unrest underscore the political roots of migration.
  • Globally, Rohingya refugees and Syrian asylum seekers reflect politically induced forced migration.
  • According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), over 2.5 million people in India were displaced in 2022.
• Cultural Dimension: Migration can be an escape from cultural suppression, social stigma, or identity erosion.
  • In India, Dalits and Adivasis often migrate from oppressive rural social structures to urban anonymity for dignity and equality.
  • Many women migrate for marriage or to escape patriarchal restrictions in rural areas.
  • Tribal displacement due to infrastructure projects (e.g., Polavaram Dam) leads to cultural and linguistic erosion.
• Economic Dimension: Migration is a livelihood strategy, especially in agrarian economies facing climate and market risks.
  • As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (2022), over 45 crore Indians are internal migrants; many are seasonal or circular migrants.
  • Inter-state migration corridors like Bihar to Delhi, Odisha to Gujarat, and UP to Maharashtra show how economic compulsion overrides social comfort.
• Environmental and Climate-Driven Migration:
  • Climate migration is increasing in vulnerable regions like the Sundarbans (rising sea levels), Bundelkhand (droughts), and Assam (floods).
  • The World Bank estimates that over 40 million South Asians could become climate migrants by 2050, with a significant portions from India alone.
• Challenges Faced by Migrants:
  • Lack of portable social protection: e.g., rations, housing, education
  • Exclusion from political representation, often disenfranchised in destination states
  • Vulnerability to exploitation, discrimination, and lack of healthcare
  • Women and child migrants face specific risks, including trafficking and domestic violence.

Conclusion:

Thus, Migration in India is not merely a response to economic demand or distress but a multifaceted survival strategy driven by structural inequalities. To ensure inclusive development, India must adopt a rights-based, integrated approach, aligned with SDG Goal 10.7—to facilitate safe, regular, and responsible migration by eliminating structural barriers across economic, political, and cultural spheres.