Context: Reserving jobs for locals is against national integration, and it is incompatible with Make in India for the world.
Rising Nativist tendencies among the states:
Jobs for locals: Madhya Pradesh chief minister recently announced that all government jobs in the state would be reserved for locals. Multiple states have demands on the same lines –
Haryana has approved a proposal that 75% of fresh private sector jobs would be reserved for those from the state.
Telangana has a policy to incentivise 60% reservations in skilled jobs, and 80% in semi-skilled employment in new industries.
Andhra has reserved 75% of private-sector jobs for locals.
Karnataka asks enterprises in the state to accord priority to Kannadigas in jobs.
Maharashtra has traditionally led in legitimising nativist politics and policies.
Nativist politics hurting national integration:
Against the principle of natural justice or constitutional tenets:
Impedes free movement of people: Migration and inter-state flow of people are essential characteristics of our Republic. Nothing should be done to impede this vision.
Failure of national parties to check regionalism: While state parties’ support for nativism is understandable, the problem arises when national parties fail to prevent their state leaders from giving in to nativist tendencies.
National parties should act as bulwarks against such inward-looking ideas.
Hurting the ease of doing business: In the post-COVID age, Indian states may not be able to attract global companies looking to exit China, if they pursue nativist politics.
It is not the template for ‘Make in India for the world’.
Way Forward:
Focus on obligations of migrants: A Hindi speaking migrants in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka or Tamil Nadu is also expected to learn and respect the local language, customs and traditions.
For, E.g. a Voluntary initiative by Karnataka minister encouraging non-Kannada speaking people in the state to learn the local language. We need more such efforts.
Facilitating states: The Centre needs to consider felicitating states and governments that show exemplary efforts towards national integration and unity.
Guarding against inward-looking tendencies: National parties must guard against inward-looking tendencies and aim towards national integration.
The idea of India mustn’t be allowed to be held hostage to competitive, ethnocentric politics.