Introduction
Migration, as a sociological phenomenon, profoundly influences individual and collective identities, reshaping notions of home and nation. This essay explores how personal and societal experiences of migration intersect to highlight disparities within a shared national identity, with a specific focus on India. Drawing on my own migration journey from East Africa to India, I examine the emotional and cultural challenges of readjustment alongside the broader struggles of internal migrant workers in India. The essay argues that migration reveals stark class divides and systemic inequalities, challenging the cohesiveness of ‘nation’ as a unifying concept. Moreover, it considers how racism and exclusion, such as that faced by people from Northeast India, further complicate the idea of belonging. Through this analysis, I aim to interrogate how migration—both personal and observed—redefines ‘home’ as a contested space of identity, privilege, and exclusion.
Personal Migration: A Journey of Displacement and Loss
Eight years ago, I returned to India from East Africa, a move prompted by a traumatic robbery that endangered my life. Arriving in the bustling Delhi NCR region, I encountered a profound sense of displacement. The chaotic urban landscape starkly contrasted with my previous life, and I struggled to adapt to the frenetic pace and cultural norms. Making friends proved difficult; I was often bullied for aspects of my past that I cherished, such as my accent and cultural references. This led to a deep identity crisis, as I felt torn between my formative years abroad and the expectations of my new environment. Home, which I had once associated with safety and belonging, became an elusive concept—a space I longed for but could not locate in either geography.
This personal struggle reflects broader sociological themes of migration and identity. Scholars such as Bhugra and Becker (2005) highlight how migration often disrupts social networks and cultural continuity, leading to mental health challenges and a sense of alienation. My experience aligns with their findings, as the loss of community and the pressure to assimilate eroded my sense of self. Indeed, home became less about a physical place and more about an emotional state—one I struggled to reclaim amidst the turmoil of readjustment. This personal narrative forms the lens through which I interpret the larger migration patterns in India, revealing how displacement, regardless of context, shapes one’s understanding of belonging and nationhood.
Internal Migration in India: The Plight of the Marginalised
While my migration involved crossing international borders, millions of Indians experience internal migration, often driven by economic necessity. India’s rapid urbanisation has led to significant rural-to-urban migration, with poor and marginalised communities bearing the brunt of systemic neglect. Migrant workers, often reliant on ration cards for basic sustenance, face gruelling conditions as they move to cities in search of livelihoods. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed these vulnerabilities starkly, as millions walked hundreds of kilometres to return to their villages during lockdowns, highlighting their precarious existence within the nation (Dandekar and Ghai, 2020).
This internal migration contrasts sharply with my own experience, yet it underscores a shared struggle for belonging. My passport, a marker of privilege, enabled international mobility, while a ration card—often the only identification for India’s poorest—symbolises exclusion from basic rights and security. As Deshingkar and Farrington (2009) argue, internal migrants are frequently treated as second-class citizens, denied access to education, healthcare, and legal protections in urban centres. For instance, children of migrant workers must often travel long distances within their own country to attend school, if they can access education at all. This disparity reveals India as a poster child for class divides, where the notion of a unified ‘nation’ fractures under the weight of inequality. Home, for these migrants, is neither the village they left nor the city they inhabit, but a liminal space marked by struggle and resilience.
Class Divides and Contrasting Aspirations
The class divide in India is further illustrated by contrasting migration aspirations within the same society. While some of my classmates prepared for international education and migration abroad, equipped with resources and social capital, migrant workers and their families grappled with survival within national borders. This dichotomy echoes the arguments of sociologists like Bourdieu (1986), who discuss how cultural and economic capital shape opportunities and perceptions of belonging. My own privilege allowed me to navigate migration with a safety net, however challenging, while internal migrants face systemic barriers that render them invisible within their own nation.
This disparity forces a re-evaluation of ‘nation’ as a concept. If nationhood implies a shared identity and mutual responsibility, the treatment of internal migrants as outsiders—despite their legal status as citizens—exposes a fractured reality. Home, in this context, is not a sanctuary but a battleground where class determines one’s access to rights and recognition. My initial struggles with identity pale in comparison to these systemic exclusions, yet they connect through the shared theme of migration as a transformative, often alienating force.
Racism and Regional Exclusion: The Case of Northeast India
Migration within India also intersects with issues of race and regional identity, further complicating notions of nationhood. People from Northeast India, despite proudly identifying as Indian, frequently face racism and discrimination in mainland cities. Often labelled as ‘foreigners’ due to their distinct physical features and cultural practices, they encounter exclusion that mirrors the alienation experienced by migrants like myself (McDuie-Ra, 2012). This internal othering challenges the idea of India as a cohesive nation, revealing how ‘home’ can be a site of rejection even for those born within its borders.
Drawing parallels with my own experience, I recall how my differences were mocked, rendering me an outsider in social circles. Similarly, Northeastern Indians face slurs and violence, highlighting how migration—whether international or internal—exposes the fragility of national unity. As McDuie-Ra (2012) notes, such discrimination reflects broader issues of cultural hegemony, where dominant regional identities marginalise minorities. Thus, migration not only reshapes individual perceptions of home but also forces a critical interrogation of what ‘nation’ truly means in a stratified, diverse society like India.
Conclusion
In conclusion, migration—both personal and societal—profoundly shapes ideas of home and nation, revealing the intersections of privilege, exclusion, and identity. My journey from East Africa to India, marked by trauma and an identity crisis, mirrors the broader struggles of internal migrants who navigate class divides and systemic neglect. The contrasting experiences of international mobility versus internal displacement highlight how India’s national identity is fractured by inequality, as evident in the plight of migrant workers and the racism faced by Northeastern communities. Home, therefore, becomes a contested space, defined not by geography but by emotional and social belonging, often disrupted by migration. This analysis underscores the need for sociological inquiry into how migration policies and societal attitudes can foster inclusivity, ensuring that ‘nation’ becomes a lived reality rather than an abstract ideal. Ultimately, migration compels us to rethink belonging as a dynamic, often painful process, shaped by personal histories and systemic forces alike.
References
- Bhugra, D. and Becker, M. A. (2005) Migration, cultural bereavement and cultural identity. World Psychiatry, 4(1), pp. 18-24.
- Bourdieu, P. (1986) The forms of capital. In: Richardson, J. G. (ed.) Handbook of Theory and Research for the Sociology of Education. Greenwood Press, pp. 241-258.
- Dandekar, A. and Ghai, R. (2020) Migration and reverse migration in the age of COVID-19. Economic and Political Weekly, 55(19), pp. 28-31.
- Deshingkar, P. and Farrington, J. (2009) Circular Migration and Multilocational Livelihood Strategies in Rural India. Oxford University Press.
- McDuie-Ra, D. (2012) Northeast Migrants in Delhi: Race, Refuge and Retail. Amsterdam University Press.
