Gujarat's deadly cocktail: Rising unemployment, crime & dirty politics

The influx of migrants from the Hindi heartland desperate for jobs has given rise to a dangerous excuse for targeted violence

The violence in Gujarat's Banaskantha district that was triggered by the rape of a 14-month-old girl, allegedly by a migrant from Bihar, spread rapidly to other parts of the state. Fanned by hate speeches from certain caste leaders such as Congress’ MLA Alpesh Thakore, the rampage brought about an exodus of Hindi-speaking people from some parts of the state. 

In his undated speech, Thakore spewed venom in his diatribe about the 'criminal nature' of migrants and incited his audience to “take the responsibility to cut the weeds when they dry out”.  While Thakore’s speech is despicable, a look at the