Amartya Sen Discusses Migration Benefits

Summary:

On August 22, 2025, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen spoke with students in Kolkata, where he underscored the importance of migration to the progress of globalisation and human advancement throughout history. He noted that diversity is fundamental to Indian society and is essential for the country's growth.

Key Points:

• Significance of Migration:

  • Sen emphasized that migration—both forced and voluntary—plays a crucial role in driving global progress and cultural development.
  • He highlighted the collaborative nature of cultures, citing the translation of Brahmagupta’s mathematical work into Arabic multiple times as an example of how language and knowledge evolve through migration.

• Current Context:

  • Sen's remarks come at a time when Bengali-speaking migrants in India face threats and violence, particularly in states outside West Bengal. This issue has also sparked political tensions between parties such as the Trinamool Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party.
  • There are concerns of livelihood loss among these migrants due to such sociopolitical unrest.

• Electoral Concerns:

  • Sen critiqued the "Special Intensive Revision" (SIR) of electoral rolls, warning that it might disenfranchise countless individuals who lack documentation, thereby losing their voting rights.

• Advocacy for Human Rights:

  • During the discussion, Sen advocated for human rights as a guiding principle for laws and policies, urging the need to prevent discrimination based on caste, class, language, religion, or gender in a diverse nation like India.
  • He expressed a desire for a society where people can coexist without prejudice and recounted how attitudes towards communal growth have changed, where previously inclusive sentiments have been overshadowed by divisive rhetoric.

• Cultural Reflections:

  • Sen expressed nostalgia for his roots in Dhaka, Bangladesh, reflecting on the shared historical context before the partition of India. He emphasized the significance of India's linguistic and cultural diversity, which he considers a source of pride for the nation's civilization.

In summary, Amartya Sen's statements during the interaction highlight the intrinsic connection between migration, diversity, and India's societal progress, while also addressing contemporary issues surrounding electoral policies and human rights in a multi-ethnic context.