The recent report released by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has revealed a shocking and shameful reality of India. According to the report, over 400 people have died in the last five years while cleaning septic tanks and sewers manually. The report, which was released on a Tuesday, has shown that the practice of manual scavenging, which is banned by law, is still prevalent in many parts of the country.
The report has exposed the failure of the government, both at the central and state levels, to implement the laws and policies that are meant to eradicate manual scavenging and rehabilitate the workers. The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, which prohibits the employment of any person for manually cleaning, carrying, disposing, or handling human excreta, has been violated with impunity by various public and private entities. The act also provides for the identification, survey, and rehabilitation of manual scavengers, as well as the provision of alternative livelihoods, education, skill development, and social security. However, the implementation of the act has been dismal, as the government has failed to allocate adequate funds, monitor the progress, and ensure the accountability of the authorities.
The report has also highlighted the apathy and indifference of society towards the plight of the manual scavengers, who are treated as untouchables and outcasts. Manual scavengers endure daily discrimination, stigma, and violence, depriving them of fundamental human rights and dignity. Operating in deplorable and hazardous conditions, they lack protective gear, equipment, or safety measures, facing exposure to toxic gases, infections, and injuries, leading to fatal consequences. Additionally, they are denied essential services such as healthcare, education, and social welfare, perpetuating a vicious cycle of poverty and exploitation.
The report has also raised the question of the moral and ethical responsibility of the citizens, who are the beneficiaries of the services provided by the manual scavengers. The citizens, who enjoy the comforts and conveniences of modern sanitation, are oblivious and indifferent to the sufferings and sacrifices of the manual scavengers, who risk their lives to keep the sewers and septic tanks clean. The citizens, who claim to be progressive and democratic, are silent and passive when it comes to the rights and dignity of the manual scavengers, who are denied their constitutional and human rights.
The report has called for urgent and collective action from the government and society to end the menace of manual scavenging and to save the lives of the workers. Stringent enforcement of laws with severe penalties for violators is essential. Increased allocation of funds and resources is crucial for identifying, surveying, and rehabilitating manual scavengers, offering alternative livelihoods, education, skill development, and social security. Additionally, investing in the modernization and mechanization of the sanitation system is imperative, ensuring widespread availability and accessibility of machines and equipment for sewer and septic tank cleaning. The manual scavengers are not only the workers but also the citizens and the human beings, who deserve a life of dignity and freedom. The government and society owe them a debt of gratitude and justice, which must be paid without any delay.