Beneath The Surface: Understanding The Reality Of Manual Scavenging
- IJLLR Journal
- May 5
- 1 min read
Himani. M. Kapse, B.A. LL.B., Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University’s Babasaheb Ambedkar College of Law
ABSTRACT
Manual scavenging, the practice of manually cleaning human excreta from open gutters, drains, pits and railway tracks. Mostly the ‘Dalits’ are trapped into this degrading occupation. Even though the activity is prohibited by law of 1993 and 2013 in India but people are still engaged in this occupation. Manual Scavenging is a hazardous and a deadly activity. It violates Human rights which need to be addressed. Eradication of manual scavenging is important to ensure the safety of that particular community which can only be done by strictly implementing laws, rehabilitation of the workers and usage of machineries. This paper examines the issue of Manual Scavenging in detail. It not only affects health of the people engaged in this occupation but also disrupt their socio-economic status in the society. The paper discusses factors like social discrimination, poverty, health and emphasizes the need of improved sanitation systems, the paper gives an insight to why ‘trapped’ word is used for the occupation, answers what was the circumstances and history of this very inhumane act.
Keywords: Manual Scavenging, health, sanitation, poverty, social discrimination.
