Indian Cities Built by Migrants: A Controversial View

Indian cities, particularly Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Gurugram, are often celebrated as vibrant hubs shaped largely by migration. This topic recently ignited debates on social media, with serial entrepreneur Rajesh Sawhney praising these cities as “built by migrants.” His comments, however, led to significant pushback from locals who feel a strong connection to their city’s legacy.

Rajesh Sawhney’s Perspective

In a recent post, Sawhney commented, “Mumbai, Bangalore, and Gurugram—these three Indian cities have been built by migrants and are most cosmopolitan in nature.” He acknowledged that migrants played a pivotal role in transforming what were once quiet towns into dynamic centres for finance, technology, and entrepreneurship.

He highlighted Mumbai as the original business hub, which attracted top talent drawn to multinational corporations, banks, and industrial giants like the Tatas and Adanis. Bengaluru, he stated, was relatively quiet until it became a hotspot for IT talent, drawing individuals from across southern India. Gurugram, he added, transitioned from a village to a bustling startup scene, largely due to BPOs and entrepreneurial newcomers.

Furthermore, he expressed that “natives have benefited enormously from these transformations and should celebrate this contribution by the migrants instead of being instigated by politicians to resent migrants.”

Bengalureans Respond

Sawhney’s comments did not resonate well with many residents of Bengaluru. One user reacted, stating: “Bangalore was a sleepy town? Really? Please do your research.” They noted pre-IT era institutions like HAL, DRDO, and BEML that played a pivotal role in shaping Bengaluru’s industrial identity long before the tech surge.

Another user pointed out: “Kempegowda built a city 500 years ago with town planning. Bengaluru got electricity before most of Asia. It attracted PSUs and IISc long before startups arrived.”

Some locals also voiced concerns that Sawhney’s remarks overlooked their rich heritage in favour of a migrant-focused narrative. A comment reflecting the concerns suggested: “Humble request to all migrants: go back and build your native places. Bengaluru will become a better place without you.” This echoed a growing sentiment around overpopulation and the perceived erosion of cultural identity in major Indian urban centres.

A Divided Opinion

While there is some agreement with Sawhney regarding the role of migration in urban growth, the broader reactions highlight increasing apprehensions about urban congestion, infrastructure challenges, and a sense of neglect towards local histories and traditions.