Bathinda (Punjab): In a move that has sparked widespread debate, the panchayat of Gehari Bhagi village in Bathinda district has introduced five stringent restrictions on migrant laborers. The announcement, made at the village Gurdwara Sahib, has stirred both social and legal concerns.
According to the diktat, migrant workers will not be allowed to buy land or houses in the village, nor can they register Aadhaar or voter ID cards with a local address. Their stay will be limited to farm huts and tube wells, while farmers hiring them will bear full responsibility for their conduct. In addition, all migrant workers will have to undergo mandatory police verification before entering the village.
Supporters of the decision, including Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Sidhu Pur block president Jasvir Singh, claim the restrictions are necessary due to alleged involvement of migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in rising crime incidents across Punjab. Village sarpanch Baljit Singh asserted that workers may come for employment but cannot settle permanently in Gehari Bhagi.
However, the directive has raised serious concerns over human rights violations. Legal experts and administrative officials are reviewing whether the measures hold any validity under the law. Critics argue that the blanket restrictions discriminate against migrant workers and could have far-reaching social implications.
