To end this menace Govt must provide alternative employment opportunities and encourage mechanised cleaning technologies
“Death does not discriminate, but the system does,” cried out Rukmani Devi, a grief-stricken relative who lost her cousin, Nand Kushwaha, and his son Nitesh, in a horrifying incident that unfolded in Bahora Ramnagar village. The tight-knit community mourns the loss of four lives, all victims of the archaic and inhumane practice of manual scavenging. On a sombre Sunday morning, tragedy struck as these brave souls descended into a septic tank, unaware of the deadly consequences that awaited them.
The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of the Nebua Naurangia police station in the Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh, a region plagued by the persisting menace of manual scavenging. Despite numerous promises and legislative measures to eradicate this degrading practice, it continues to thrive, claiming innocent lives and shattering families.
Manual scavenging, a practice that involves the manual cleaning of septic tanks, drains, and dry latrines, has been banned in India since 1993 under the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act. However, the law remains largely ineffective, with thousands of individuals still forced into this hazardous occupation due to poverty, social discrimination, and a lack of alternative livelihood options.
Incidentally, the government, which has introduced several measures to prohibit manual scavenging and rehabilitate those involved, does not consider septic cleaning as manual scavenging, despite the National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) recommendation to expand the definition of manual scavengers. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the hazardous conditions faced by manual scavengers. "Nand was our sole breadwinner," sobbed Rukmani Devi, her voice heavy with grief. "We had hoped for a brighter future for Nitesh, but now he is gone too. Why does no one care about our lives?"
The tragedy that befell the Kushwaha family is not an isolated incident. According to a report by Safai Karamchari Andolan, an organization fighting for the rights of sanitation workers, there have been over 1,800 deaths related to manual scavenging in the past decade alone. In four years, between 2017-2021, 330 people lost their lives due to "hazardous cleaning of sewer and septic tanks" in India, as per the data presented in Lok Sabha in August 2022.
“Each death represents a life cut short, dreams left unfulfilled, and families left devastated,” Dinesh Kanojia, an office-bearer of Safai Karamchari Aandolan said and added: “We clean society's waste, but society refuses to acknowledge us as humans."
Despite the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and the Rehabilitation Act of 2013, which outlawed the employment of manual scavengers and aimed to provide rehabilitation measures, the implementation has been woefully inadequate. The lack of political will, insufficient enforcement, and social apathy have perpetuated this grave injustice. The dangers of manual scavenging extend beyond the risk of asphyxiation and drowning. The workers are often exposed to toxic gases, disease-causing pathogens, and unsanitary conditions that pose serious health risks. The absence of social safety nets and adequate welfare measures further deepens their economic struggles, leaving them with limited choices.
“The persistence of manual scavenging in India is a grave violation of human rights, as it subjects individuals to dehumanizing conditions, health hazards, and social exclusion,” Raghuvanshi, a Dalit activist, said. The tragedy in Bahora Ramnagar village should serve as a wake-up call for the authorities and society at large. Immediate action is needed to ensure justice for the victims and their families and to put an end to this brutal practice.
To address this grave issue, a multi-pronged approach is necessary. Strengthening the implementation of existing laws, providing alternative employment opportunities, investing in mechanized cleaning technologies, and raising public awareness are crucial steps toward eradicating manual scavenging. Collaboration between government bodies, civil society organizations, and affected communities is essential to ensure sustainable change. "No more lives should be lost in the depths of septic tanks," declared Smita Yadav, a social worker. "It is time to break the chains of this exploitative practice and work towards a future where dignity and equality prevail."
She said: “As the Kushwaha family and the entire community grieve the loss of Nand and Nitesh, their deaths must not be forgotten. Their tragedy should ignite a collective resolve to eliminate manual scavenging and create a society where every life is valued and respected. Let us unite in our demand for justice and in our commitment to building a future free from this dark chapter of human suffering.”
(Writer is Political Editor, The Pioneer, Lucknow)
