NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD/CHENNAI, MAY 18
The Congress on Monday slammed the Karnataka government’s decision to let in people from Gujarat in a staggered manner, alleging the BJP-led dispensation in the southern state is increasing the hardships of its own people settled in the western state.
In a counter, the ruling BJP in Gujarat asked the opposition party in the state not to politicise health-related decisions.
Following the recent spike in COVID-19 infections, the Karnataka government on Monday said people from states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu will be allowed entry in a staggered (or phased) manner.
“We have decided not to allow people from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu till May 31, but (after that) in stages (staggered manner),” Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa told reporters in Bengaluru.
The Gujarat Congress termed the decision as “inhuman and unconstitutional”.
“The Karnataka government is known to be anti-labour and pro-rich. Earlier, it had stopped migrants from leaving the state under pressure from the builder lobby.
“Now, when their people want to return from Gujarat, the BJP government is stopping them. This decision is inhuman and unconstitutional,” Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said. Yogesh Mishra, a member of the Zonal Rail Users Consultative Committee, echoed similar views.
“Such a decision in these difficult times was uncalled for. There should not be any fear because people are tested before boarding the train and tested upon their arrival too. They are also home quarantined for 14 days,” he said.
“If the Uttar Pradesh government can manage the huge influx of migrants from Gujarat, then why Karnataka can’t manage a small number of migrants going there from Gujarat?” asked Mishra.
On the other side, the ruling BJP defended the decision of Karnataka. “Congress should refrain from doing politics on health-related guidelines. Instead of targeting our government, they should first see what’s going on in Congress-ruled states.
“The opposition party must stop its attempt to create anarchy,” said Gujarat BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya.
Balkrishna Shetty, a Karnataka native settled in Vapi town, defended the Yediyurappa government over the issue.
“This decision will not affect us because, in comparison to Mumbai, a very less number of Karnataka people live in Gujarat. “Moreover, this decision was taken for the safety of people. We all must follow rules in such times,” said Shetty.
Navjeevan Express reader’s plea to Karnataka Govt to reconsider the ban
Mr Vijayan, one of the readers of Navjeevan Express urges Karanataka Government to reconsider its decision. His plea, “Every state has sealed Covid19-infected city/town/district/area. For example, Tamil Nadu has sealed Chennai (entry & exit is banned) from Chennai. Then why can’t public living in the green zone of other states who has job/business/relatives/education etc can’t enter Karnataka? It is not logical to ban the complete population of a state from entering Karnataka. We live in Hosur (the least affected town in Tamil Nadu) & we have invested in a business in Karnataka, because of this decision of Karnataka govt we won’t be able to travel every day to Bangalore for our business. Like us there are thousands of people traveling to Bangalore every day from Hosur & vice versa for work have been affected & unable to resume to lead a normal life. I hope this message reaches the right people in power (state or centre) & decide to lift this ban asap.
