Migration and Its Political Implications
Introduction to Migration and Citizenship
The concept of citizenship is traditionally linked to a resident's location within a specific territory. Migration across borders, both international and within a country, disrupts this connection, leading to a "conceptual drift" between citizenship and residency.
Response to Migration in India and the U.S.
- India:
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) is conducting a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to address the issue of individuals registering in multiple locations due to migration.
- This initiative aims to address the repeated entries in electoral rolls due to increased urbanization and migration.
- United States:
- The U.S. Department of Justice, sought access to State voter registration databases to enforce election laws and required documentary proof of U.S. citizenship.
- These measures aimed at strengthening election integrity sparked resistance and raised concerns about voter accessibility.
Global Migration Trends
- The number of international migrants has nearly doubled from about 154 million in 1990 to over 300 million by 2024.
- Increased migration rates are linked to the rise of nativist populism in Western countries.
- The U.S. has about 14%-15% of its population as foreign-born, while Canada and Australia have higher proportions at 22% and 31%-32%, respectively.
Migration Policies and Political Changes
- India's Policies:
- India aims to "export human resources" by encouraging overseas employment.
- Policies encourage migration within India, such as relaxed domicile rules in Jammu and Kashmir to facilitate integration and development.
- The Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2010 allows Indian citizens abroad to vote in their home constituencies, although there are calls for remote voting rights.
- Impact on Domestic Politics:
- Domicile laws affect access to education and jobs, and internal migration has political implications, including altered voter demography.
- For example, the political landscape in Mumbai has shifted as Marathi speakers now constitute less than 40% of the population.
Broader Cultural and Social Impact
- Migration affects cultural practices and languages, as seen with the spread of Vedic practices and language evolution over time.
- Traditionally, more men migrated than women, influencing cultural dynamics and linguistic developments.
Changing Notions of Citizenship
- Migration challenges traditional ideas of birthright citizenship, as seen in the U.S. with attempts to reinterpret the 14th Amendment.
- India has amended its citizenship laws to prevent children of illegal immigrants from obtaining citizenship by birth.
Conclusion
The phenomenon of moving people is reshaping the political and social landscape in India and globally, with ongoing changes expected to be reflected in the upcoming Census and electoral processes.
