In modern civilized India, in spite of 65 years of independence and functioning democracy, still we couldn't eradicate obnoxious practice of manual scavenging! One scholar termed this dehumanizing manual scavenging practice as burying democracy in human waste. In 1901, Mahatma Gandhi stated that manual scavenging as national shame and 2012 our people representatives echoed the same! Then are we moving towards so called egalitarian and inclusive society?
Though this vile and inhumane practice was abolished by law in India in 1993, the practice is deeply entrenched in South Asian societies. Let me discuss why this anti-national and anti-constitutional(Art.17, Art.21) practice has been continuing in one form or other in spite of pressure from ILO and supreme court of India recurrently..
Manual scavenging practice is inextricably linked to deep rooted caste based and hereditary occupation for Dalits and moreover predominantly linked with forced labour/untouchability. According to national commission of safai karmacharis report, approximately 13 lakh citizens are directly or indirectly involved in this demeaning practice across the length and breadth of our nation. Paradoxically Indian railways and municipalities are the largest employers of manual scavenging. Thus state is the largest grass violator of human rights and fundamental rights as well[right to dignity].
The public hearing also brought to light the social pressure for the continuance of the practice. In some areas upper caste people want to promote, protect and perpetuate their dominance by relegating out-caste people into manual scavengers. e.g. In a village in Madhya Pradesh, when a mother stopped scavenging toilets, the scholarship for her son was stopped.
A historic Supreme Court Ruling in May 2009 may help bring an end to this abhorrent practice in India. The Court held government appointed District Collectors responsible for not eradicating the demeaning and hazardous practice. But our public officials have frequently failed in their duties to identify, report and end manual scavenging, demolish dry latrines, and rehabilitate manual scavengers, and on their shoulders rests major culpability for the continuance of the unlawful and unjust social practice.
e.g. Recently supreme court sternly warned District Magistrate for filing a wrong affidavit stating there was no manual scavenging in his district.
I am wondering, why our Indian renaissance movements(socio-religious movements in 18th century) was unable to address this degrading issue as they did to abolishing Sati. To eliminate manual scavenging, we need 21th century social reform movements with proactive engagement from civil society organizations. The fact that most manual scavengers are women, many of whom are older and with poor literacy levels.
The Government of India has operationalised multi Crore rehabilitation schemes like National Scheme for Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers since 1992 and Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers since 2007 along with deciding time lines for putting an end to this practice. Sometimes critics point out that, Indian nation is a softstate, where it can't act firmly on it's own decisions. And our nation has a great culture of passing laws and greater culture of bypassing laws. Need of the hour is to strengthen implementation machinery and inculcate sense of fraternity among bureaucracy towards marginalized sections.
Central government has recently introduced , "The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Bill, 2012", in Lok Sabha to eradicate and to provide skill-based training to those who give up manual scavenging. I think it's apt to mention renown Sociologist Andre Beteille statement : laws directs what ought to be done but social structures determine what should be done. We need to revamp societal structures and people mindsets then only new bill will be implemented in true spirit.
Finally let me remind you, as a human beings there are somethings can't do to other human beings[Justice Albie Sachs of South Africa].
suneel anchipaka
anchipaka.suneel@gmail.com
Though this vile and inhumane practice was abolished by law in India in 1993, the practice is deeply entrenched in South Asian societies. Let me discuss why this anti-national and anti-constitutional(Art.17, Art.21) practice has been continuing in one form or other in spite of pressure from ILO and supreme court of India recurrently..
Manual scavenging practice is inextricably linked to deep rooted caste based and hereditary occupation for Dalits and moreover predominantly linked with forced labour/untouchability. According to national commission of safai karmacharis report, approximately 13 lakh citizens are directly or indirectly involved in this demeaning practice across the length and breadth of our nation. Paradoxically Indian railways and municipalities are the largest employers of manual scavenging. Thus state is the largest grass violator of human rights and fundamental rights as well[right to dignity].
The public hearing also brought to light the social pressure for the continuance of the practice. In some areas upper caste people want to promote, protect and perpetuate their dominance by relegating out-caste people into manual scavengers. e.g. In a village in Madhya Pradesh, when a mother stopped scavenging toilets, the scholarship for her son was stopped.
A historic Supreme Court Ruling in May 2009 may help bring an end to this abhorrent practice in India. The Court held government appointed District Collectors responsible for not eradicating the demeaning and hazardous practice. But our public officials have frequently failed in their duties to identify, report and end manual scavenging, demolish dry latrines, and rehabilitate manual scavengers, and on their shoulders rests major culpability for the continuance of the unlawful and unjust social practice.
e.g. Recently supreme court sternly warned District Magistrate for filing a wrong affidavit stating there was no manual scavenging in his district.
I am wondering, why our Indian renaissance movements(socio-religious movements in 18th century) was unable to address this degrading issue as they did to abolishing Sati. To eliminate manual scavenging, we need 21th century social reform movements with proactive engagement from civil society organizations. The fact that most manual scavengers are women, many of whom are older and with poor literacy levels.
The Government of India has operationalised multi Crore rehabilitation schemes like National Scheme for Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers since 1992 and Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers since 2007 along with deciding time lines for putting an end to this practice. Sometimes critics point out that, Indian nation is a softstate, where it can't act firmly on it's own decisions. And our nation has a great culture of passing laws and greater culture of bypassing laws. Need of the hour is to strengthen implementation machinery and inculcate sense of fraternity among bureaucracy towards marginalized sections.
Central government has recently introduced , "The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Bill, 2012", in Lok Sabha to eradicate and to provide skill-based training to those who give up manual scavenging. I think it's apt to mention renown Sociologist Andre Beteille statement : laws directs what ought to be done but social structures determine what should be done. We need to revamp societal structures and people mindsets then only new bill will be implemented in true spirit.
Finally let me remind you, as a human beings there are somethings can't do to other human beings[Justice Albie Sachs of South Africa].
suneel anchipaka
anchipaka.suneel@gmail.com
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