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New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
India's 'dignity of individual' promise exposed by reality of manual scavenging
More than a decade after India formally outlawed manual scavenging, this inhuman practice continues to haunt the margins of society, even as the government remains in denial. In a written response to a Lok Sabha question on 29 July this year, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reiterated that manual scavenging remains prohibited under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, and stated that the government has not received any reports from states or Union territories indicating that the practice continues. Replying to a question, Minister of State Ramdas Athawale claimed that no deaths due to manual scavenging—defined narrowly as the manual removal of human excreta from insanitary latrines—had been reported in the last five years. This assertion is likely to draw criticism from civil society groups and independent fact-finding missions, which have consistently documented fatal incidents during sewer and septic tank cleaning operations. The government's response also denied any caste-based linkage to the occupation, claiming that manual scavenging is 'occupation-based rather than caste-based.' It further stated that caste-wise data on identified manual scavengers is not maintained. This contradicts field studies and historical accounts, which have repeatedly shown a disproportionately high representation of Scheduled Castes—particularly the Valmiki community—among those forced into this degrading work. Activists highlight a troubling gap in government data: while fatalities during sewer cleaning are often acknowledged by the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) and reported in the media, the government's narrow definition of "manual scavenging" excludes these deaths, thereby underreporting the human toll. Legal experts argue that the 2013 Act prohibits not only dry latrine cleaning but also the manual handling of human waste in drains, sewers, and septic tanks—practices that remain commonplace in many states. The Centre's reply raises more questions than it answers. With no official reports of continued practice or fatalities, yet overwhelming anecdotal and journalistic evidence to the contrary, the government's stance appears alarmingly detached from ground realities. Until robust data collection, caste-sensitive rehabilitation, and the mechanisation of sanitation work become institutional priorities, India's pledge to eradicate manual scavenging will remain unfulfilled. The minister's statement also contradicts data available on the NCSK website, which shows that 1,313 sewer and septic tank deaths were reported between 1993 and 2025 (up to June 30). This includes 63 sanitation worker deaths in 2023 and another 52 in 2024. In a separate Parliamentary response on 31 July 2024, the same minister reported that 58,098 manual scavengers had been identified across the country. Under the NAMASTE scheme, 84,902 sewer and septic tank workers have been identified across 36 states and Union territories. A recent social audit commissioned by the Union government into hazardous sewer and septic tank cleaning revealed that over 90% of workers who died while cleaning sewers did not have any safety gear or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The study, commissioned in September 2023 by the Social Justice Ministry, examined the circumstances surrounding 54 such deaths across 17 districts in eight states and Union territories in 2022 and 2023. Government data shows that 150 people died due to hazardous cleaning operations during this period. The audit's findings were tabled in Parliament on 22 July 2025. The Fiefdoms of Shit Unseen: The Truth about India's Manual Scavengers (2014) by Bhasha Singh powerfully documents the plight of those coerced into this dehumanizing work for centuries. It portrays how this practice has shackled an entire community in such deep insecurity that many among them do not even realize that their work is a manifestation of entrenched feudal oppression. In Singh's account, a mother-in-law feels proud to gift a scavenging basket and broom to her newly wedded daughter-in-law, as part of a toxic legacy. 'The predicament of these people,' writes Bezwada Wilson in the book's introduction 'is the result of a conspiracy to keep them subjugated for generations so that they don't question the injustice of their exploitation. And it is the caste system which has designed this conspiracy, ensuring the continued oppression of manual scavengers. The society believes that the manual scavenging community is responsible for their shit—and the scavengers themselves feel that only they are responsible for others' shit!' Singh exposes the ruthless mechanics of caste subjugation. In Madhya Pradesh, for instance, women engaged in manual scavenging are still called jagirdars, a now-defunct Mughal feudal title. Their jagir consists of the households from which they must collect human waste. This grotesque irony—where a title of high privilege is used to mask degrading servitude—highlights the systematic manner in which a whole community has been imprisoned in this hellish occupation. Historical records even show instances of these jagirs being mortgaged and sold, revealing how deeply institutionalized and commercialized the oppression has been. In this context, the government's claim that 'manual scavenging is occupation-based rather than caste-based'—coming from a minister representing a party conceived by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar—is not just erroneous but cruel. The government may wish to sweep the issue under the carpet, but this is a gorilla in the room too large to hide. The Broken Promise of Dignity Aharon Barak, the eminent Israeli jurist, observed in Human Dignity: The Constitutional Value and the Constitutional Right (2015) that human dignity is the foundation of all human rights, forming the central argument for their very existence. After World War II, constitutional and international legal frameworks began adopting the concept of dignity, recognizing it both as a constitutional value and a fundamental right. The modern understanding of dignity owes much to Immanuel Kant, who in Critique of Practical Reason, insisted that human beings must be treated as ends in themselves, not merely as means. Ethics, Kant argued, entails duties to oneself—such as cultivating one's talents—and to others, by contributing to their well-being. This capacity for moral agency is the essence of dignity. Professor Upendra Baxi offered a powerful redefinition of dignity as empowerment, comprising three essential elements: respect for one's capacity to make free choices, respect for the choices made, and respect for the contexts in which those choices are exercised. The Indian Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed that the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution includes the right to live with dignity. And yet, when an entire community is forced to clean human excreta for generations, every pillar of that dignity collapses. The Preambular promise of 'dignity of the individual' remains a farce for India's manual scavengers. In The Phenomenology of Spirit, Hegel asserted that human history is driven by the struggle for recognition of human dignity. The struggle of manual scavengers is precisely that—a pursuit of personhood, of being seen as human. Manual scavenging is a direct and degrading consequence of untouchability, functioning as its most brutal, caste-entrenched form. Yet, while Article 17 constitutionally proscribes untouchability, it does not explicitly name or prohibit manual scavenging. This creates a normative and symbolic gap in our constitutional commitment to dignity, equality, and fraternity. Abolition of manual scavenging must be inserted in Article 17. It will give constitutional clarity and recognition to the abhorrence of this practice, elevate the offence of engaging or compelling manual scavenging to a constitutional wrong, not merely a statutory violation, and strengthen the legal and moral mandate of the state to prosecute violators and rehabilitate victims. It is time the Indian state stops building Potemkin villages to mask the misery of manual scavengers. Instead, it must eradicate this dehumanizing practice, provide effective rehabilitation, and offer reparations for the historic injustice inflicted on this community across generations. (The author is Deputy Law Secretary to the Government of Kerala and author of The Supreme Codex: A Citizen's Anxieties and Aspirations on the Indian Constitution.)
The Hindu
03-08-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Letters to The Editor — August 4, 2025
Support, not therapy A report, 'GenAI cannot qualify as therapy for mental health, says expert' (Chennai, July 21, 2025), highlights a crucial point — while Artificial Intelligence tools such as ChatGPT may feel supportive in moments of anxiety, they cannot replace professional therapy. These tools often mirror what we wish to hear, creating comfort but not real change. The fact is that true therapy challenges patterns, provides structured guidance and builds skills to cope with life — something that no algorithm can replicate. Instead of depending on Artificial Intelligence, we must remember that healing happens through people. Only a trained therapist can listen deeply, confront painful truths, and guide recovery with care and accountability. Let Artificial Intelligence be a temporary aid. The real work of mental health must stay firmly in human hands. J.S. Safooraa Bharathi, Chennai Jarring That a crass film such as The Kerala Story received two national awards, for best direction and cinematography, is a reflection of our times. Institutions are becoming increasingly saffronised by the day . The jury, it appears, was more interested in rewarding the projection of a narrative dear to the political establishment than recognising artistic merits. In the process, many good movies were left by the side. Manohar Alembath, Kannur, Kerala Disturbing It is deeply disturbing that over 90% of sewer worker deaths in India occurred without even basic safety gear—a statistic that reflects a harsh truth: we still fail to value the lives of those who clean our filth. They are not just sanitation workers. They are frontline soldiers of public health. While the government's NAMASTE scheme is a welcome step, real change demands more—mandatory training, proper safety equipment, mechanised cleaning methods, and strict accountability from municipal bodies. Most importantly, society must shed its apathy and recognise that those who clean our cities deserve not just protection, but respect and dignity. Safai karamcharis are not the lowest — they are the bravest. Mohammad Asad, Mumbai
Hindustan Times
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SC issues notice on TN YouTuber's plea for CBI probe into irregularities in state schemes
New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice on a plea of YouTuber Savukku Shankar against Madras High Court's refusal to order a CBI probe into alleged financial irregularities under Tamil Nadu's Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme . SC issues notice on TN YouTuber's plea for CBI probe into irregularities in state schemes A bench comprising Chief justice B R Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria was also informed by Shankar's counsel that his house was vandalised after he filed a plea seeking the CBI probe. Shankar alleged large-scale misappropriation of funds under the state's AABCS and NAMASTE schemes. These schemes originally intended to benefit scheduled caste entrepreneurs and sanitation workers. The plea claimed the schemes were hijacked by ineligible beneficiaries, aided by private entities, through unlawful government outsourcing and political interference. 'Because I raised these issues, my house was vandalised. I asked for a fair investigation by the CBI, but that has been refused, therefore, I have challenged that as well,' his counsel said. The Madras High Court declined his plea saying such a move could affect the work already done by the state police. The court instead directed the authorities to conclude the probe and file a final report within 12 weeks. Notably, the high court disposed of Shankar's petition without ordering a CBI probe but directed a re-evaluation of tender awardees under the scheme to ensure compliance with eligibility norms. The top court also made a passing reference to Shankar's prior conviction for criminal contempt of court. "Earlier you were hauled up for contempt," one of the judges remarked. Shankar's counsel said an unconditional apology was submitted. 'That's what everybody does…malign somebody, then offer an unconditional apology,' Justice Chandran said. The contempt reference was over Shankar's comments in a 2022 YouTube interview, which led to a suo motu contempt case by the Madras High Court and a six-month imprisonment sentence. The top court on September 25, last year ordered his release after Shankar was detained right after his release under the Tamil Nadu Goondas Act. He was facing around 15 criminal cases then. Shankar was then arrested by Coimbatore Police from southern Theni on May 4 for alleged derogatory statements about women police personnel and some Madras High Court judges in an interview on the YouTube channel "RedPix 24x7" on April 30, which led to several FIRs against him. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Hindu
24-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Clean house: on India's septic tank desludging
Behind the hazardous cleaning deaths of 150 people in 2022 and 2023, a social audit of 54 of which the Ministry of Social Justice has tabled in Parliament, lies a deleterious business model. Local contractors had hired 38; only five were on a government payroll. The rest were public sector workers 'loaned' to private employers, obscuring liability. Progress on this front has lagged despite the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013, court orders, Swachh Bharat advisories, and the 2023 National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme. A 2024 Parliament reply said 57,758 workers were engaged in hazardous cleaning nationwide but only 16,791 PPE kits were supplied. Fewer than 14,000 had received health cards and only 837 safety workshops had been conducted in 4,800 urban local bodies. There are at least two bright spots, however. In Odisha, identified workers have PPE kits and access to mechanised desludging vehicles and Tamil Nadu has piloted sewer robots in Chennai to clean over 5,000 manholes. Technology and political will can thus deliver the desired results but little has reached most districts. Experts also flagged a near-complete lack of data on rural sanitation workers. India's real problem is enforcement. Industry members have said most underground infrastructure can be cleaned robotically if capital subsidies and operator training expand, yet government tenders often solicit manual bids. Most emergency response sanitation units are paper tigers. Only ₹14 crore has been released so far under the NAMASTE scheme, insufficient to mechanise sewer cleaning in even one major city. In the event of a worker death, police routinely book the lowest ranking supervisor or classify the death as an accident. The Supreme Court has asked for offending contracts to be cancelled and monetary liabilities imposed on principal employers, but local bodies are still to notify such rules. Two-thirds of validated workers are also Dalits, yet rehabilitation packages rarely include housing or scholarships that might help families exit contemptible occupations. Women who still sweep dry latrines receive even less policy attention. Among other measures, urban local bodies must mechanise sewer-cleaning post haste, and make it a licensed trade, and operating without a valid certificate a cognisable offence. Loans for workers to operate the machines that replace manual entry should be upscaled and linked to guaranteed service contracts from municipalities. Finally, the national government should include septic tank desludging under the Swachh Bharat rural budget and extend NAMASTE profiling to gram panchayats.
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
In over 90% of sewer deaths, workers had no safety gear: government audit
Over 90% of workers who died while cleaning sewers did not have any safety gear or personalised protective equipment (PPE) kits, according to a recent social audit commissioned by the Union Government to look into hazardous sewer and septic tank cleaning across the country. Even in the cases where they had some safety gear, it was limited to a pair of gloves and gumboots. In September 2023, the Social Justice Ministry commissioned a study into hazardous cleaning deaths, which analysed the circumstances surrounding 54 such deaths in 17 districts across eight States and Union Territories that occurred in 2022 and 2023. Government data shows 150 people across the country died due to hazardous cleaning in 2022 and 2023. The social audit, whose findings were made public in Parliament on Tuesday (July 22, 2025), investigated hiring mechanisms, the use of safety equipment, institutional set-ups, availability of PPE kits, rapid response readiness and equipment, and awareness of the law banning manual scavenging. No equipment or training In 49 out of the 54 deaths examined, the workers were not wearing any safety equipment. In five cases, they were wearing just gloves, and in one case, gloves and gumboots. In 47 instances, 'no mechanised equipment and safety gears for cleaning of sewers and septic tanks were made available to the workers', the audit report said. In fact, it was able to identify just two instances where this equipment was made available and only one where the requisite training was provided. The audit noted that in 45 of these deaths, 'it was found that there is still no equipment readiness on the part of the concerned Agency carrying out such work'. Awareness drives in the wake of the deaths were only conducted in seven cases, and were only 'partially' completed. Such drives were conducted in Chennai and Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu, and Satara district in Maharashtra. No informed consent No consent was taken from workers in 27 cases, according to the social audit, which further noted that even in the 18 cases where written consent was taken from the workers, 'they were not counselled on the risks involved in the work'. The study found that in 38 cases, the workers were 'contracted personally/individually'. In five cases, the workers were employed by a government agency, and in three cases, they were employed by the public sector but were hired by private employers for the particular work they were doing when they died. These findings became public when the Social Justice Minister was replying to a question in the Lok Sabha by Congress MP Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde. In its response, the Ministry added that it has already launched the NAMASTE scheme for addressing the problem of hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tank workers and waste-pickers in July 2023. Scheme to provide PPE kits This is in line with the government's declaration that manual scavenging has ended in the country, and that it is the problem of hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks that now needs attention. So far, the NAMASTE scheme has identified 84,902 sewer and septic tank workers in 36 States and UTs across the country, of which a little over half have been provided with PPE kits and safety gear. Only in Odisha, all 1,295 such workers identified under the scheme have been given PPE kits and safety gear, thanks to the State government's Garima scheme, according to Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar's response to another question in the House. As per this statement, capital subsidies worth over ₹20 crore have been provided under the NAMASTE scheme to 707 sanitation workers, while about 1,000 workshops have been held in the country on the prevention of hazardous cleaning. Under this scheme, the government has also identified around 37,800 waste pickers.
