Opinion

Government should have thought about migrant labourers before lockdown announcement: Harbhajan Singh

Written by Vishwas Gupta

When the whole country is under lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh on Saturday said he is not thinking about cricket at this time as it is a “very small thing” when compared to the situation which people are facing.

“Honestly in this time, cricket does not come in my mind in the past 15 days. Cricket is a very small thing in front of the country. I will be selfish if would be thinking about cricket and IPL. Our priority should healthy and fit India. Sports will only take place if we stay safe and healthy. Cricket is not even in my thoughts,” Harbhajan said.

“It is time to stay united and try to do whatever little you can do to make this country back on its feet”, he added.

Due to the coronavirus, all the sporting events in the country are either postponed or stand cancelled. The Indian Premier League’s (IPL) 13th edition is also suspended till April 15.

The 39-year-old veteran bowler is worried about the migrant labourers who are leaving the megacities to reach their homes. According to him, the government should have arranged something for them before the lockdown was announced.

“I think the situation of the migrant labourers should be kept in mind before making the announcement. They don’t have the home to stay, food to eat, and job to earn. The government should have taken care of that and assured them that they will get food and money. But now they want to travel back to there home. It is very disturbing how the things have been handled,” Singh said.

About the author

Vishwas Gupta