Migration. It’s a word woven into the very fabric of human history. It has been an integral part of the human story since the dawn of time. From early hunter-gatherers seeking fertile lands to modern professionals chasing career aspirations in distant cities, the movement has been fundamental to survival, growth, and evolution. Yet, paradoxically, those who move in search of a better life are often the easiest to blame for societal problems, the most convenient scapegoats for economic and political discontent.

A Tale as Old as Time

Human history is an endless saga of migration. Our ancestors crossed continents, braved oceans, and settled in foreign lands in search of prosperity and security. Civilizations rose and fell, shaped by the ebb and flow of people bringing new knowledge, skills, and cultures. Think of the Sumerians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Indians, and Persians – all built upon waves of migration. Even the rise of great metropolises today, from New York to Mumbai, owes itself to the confluence of migrants shaping the economic and social fabric.

But it’s not just humans. Migration is a natural phenomenon embedded in all species. We see it in birds e.g. Siberian Gulls, in wildebeests traversing the African savannah, in whales journeying across oceans. And yet, for humans, the act of moving from one place to another has often been met with hostility. The irony is unmistakable—migration is necessary for survival, yet the migrant is unwelcome.

The Politics of Exclusion

Throughout history, migrants have been the easiest people to hate. Whether it was the Irish in 19th-century America, Jews fleeing persecution in Europe, Zoroastrians fleeing persecution in Persia, or South Asians migrating to the UK post-colonialism, every era has had its ‘outsiders’ who were seen as threats to the native order. Today, migrants are being chased from American borders with cruelty that shocks the conscience. The same America that benefits from their labour—be it in agriculture, hospitality, or healthcare—deports them without a second thought. The hypocrisy is evident when restaurateurs bemoan the loss of their workforce while still supporting harsh immigration policies.

India, too, grapples with this issue. The treatment of Rohingyas, the fearmongering about ‘Bangladeshis,’ the resentment towards North Indians in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, and the discrimination against Biharis in North India and Maharashtra all highlight how migration remains a contentious issue. Ironically, the very people despised for ‘taking jobs’ are indispensable to the economy, driving auto-rickshaws, constructing buildings, working as housemaids, and tending to fields.

Europeans, too, have been significant migrants throughout history. Their movement to America and Australia resulted in the forced displacement of indigenous populations, making aboriginal communities minorities in their own lands, subjected to colonial rule and systemic discrimination. These migrations altered the social and political landscape of entire continents, leaving deep scars that continue to impact the present.

Divisions Within & Without

Beyond national or regional migration, divisions exist even within cities. In Kolkata, there’s a cultural distinction between North and South Kolkata residents. Delhi sees a similar divide, with South Delhi dismissing those from ‘Jamuna paar’ or Old Delhi. Mumbai’s Bandra looks at Andheri East with a certain condescension. The treatment of North-East Indians, who are often mistaken for foreigners in their own country, further exposes the ingrained biases against ‘outsiders.’

It makes one wonder—why do we fear those who arrive after us? Why is there a deep-seated need to protect ‘our’ turf when, not too long ago, our ancestors were the very outsiders we now seek to exclude? Perhaps this fear stems from an innate survival instinct, a tribalism that once ensured security but now serves as a barrier to progress and unity.

A Personal Reflection

My own family’s journey is a microcosm of this grand migration story. My parents left West Bengal for Delhi, seeking better opportunities. I was born and raised in Delhi, in a milieu dominated by Punjabi culture. When my career took me to Ranchi, my Bengali roots clashed with the Punjabi accent I had inherited from my upbringing. My first phone call with the Senior Branch Manager in Dhanbad ended with him immediately inquiring about ‘the Bengali guy with a Punjabi accent.’

My son, born in Lucknow, spent his infancy in Delhi and was raised in Ranchi, and considers this city his hometown. His identity, already shaped by geographical movement, will continue to evolve. I wonder where he and his future generations will find themselves. Will they feel settled? Or will they, too, be caught in the migration cycle, forever searching for a place to call home?

Yin-Yang Paradox

It seems migration and the resistance to it are two sides of the same coin—the yin and yang of human existence. Just as there is a primal instinct to seek better pastures, there is an equally primal instinct to fear the new arrivals. But does it always have to be this way?

History shows that societies that embraced migrants flourished. The cultural melting pots of the world—New York, London, Mumbai—are testaments to how diversity breeds progress. The question remains: can we move past our deeply ingrained biases? Can we recognise that migration is not a threat but a natural, inevitable part of life?

Crucially, migrants also have a responsibility. Respecting the culture and ethos of their new home is essential. They should strive to mingle with the local population, enriching and evolving the society through cultural exchange rather than imposing their own culture and beliefs. It is essential to abstain from playing the victim card to manipulate societal behaviour and responsibilities.

Integration, not imposition, should be the goal. Cultural exchange should enrich and evolve society, not create divisions. Both cultures must be mutually acceptable and tolerant, adhering to universal toleration. The evolution and progress of society should be a shared journey, not a battleground where one group turns against another in hostility.

The Complexities of Illegal Migration

Illegal migration, while driven by the natural human impulse to seek a better life, poses complex challenges. Often fueled by economic hardship, political instability, and environmental disasters, individuals resort to perilous and unlawful methods to migrate. This desperation creates significant humanitarian concerns, including vulnerability to human trafficking, exploitation, and the risk of severe legal repercussions. For host countries, illegal migration can strain resources, raise security concerns, and fuel anti-immigrant sentiment.

Host nations have the sovereign right to enforce immigration laws and repatriate undocumented foreigners to their countries of origin. However, deportations should be carried out with dignity, ensuring that individuals are not subjected to inhumane treatment. The use of excessive force or degrading treatment is unacceptable. At the same time, countries of origin must take responsibility for their citizens residing illegally abroad and facilitate their return without undue obstruction. A balanced approach that upholds the rule of law while respecting fundamental human rights is crucial for managing migration fairly and justly.

Addressing the Root Causes: A Path to Sustainable Solutions

However, the solution lies not in fortifying borders or enacting stricter immigration policies, but in addressing the root causes of irregular migration. Global cooperation is essential to mitigate economic disparities, promote equitable development, and foster opportunities within countries of origin. A world where opportunity is more evenly distributed would reduce the desperation that drives individuals to risk their lives crossing borders unlawfully. Rather than penalizing those fleeing poverty, the international community should strive to create a world where migration is a choice, not a necessity. While this vision may seem idealistic and perhaps even unattainable in the short term, meaningful progress toward it is essential. Until we address the underlying drivers of irregular migration, the complex challenges it presents will persist.

Reflecting on the future, I hope future generations inherit a world that embraces migrants with greater openness and acceptance. I envision a time when they are not perceived as “outsiders” but as essential contributors to a more vibrant and diverse global society. At the same time, migrants must integrate respectfully into their host communities, appreciating local cultures rather than imposing their own in ways that may disrupt social harmony. Meaningful cultural exchange should be the goal, fostering mutual understanding and coexistence. After all, aren’t we all, in some way, migrants on an ever-evolving journey?

While celebrating the enriching aspects of migration, we must also acknowledge the need for safe, legal, and orderly processes to ensure stability and fairness for all.