Abstract

Manual scavenging has been called the worst surviving symbol of untouchability. Decades after Independence and despite its leaps in science and technology, India is yet to find an alternative for manual scavenging. The inhuman practice of manually removing night soil which involves removal of human excrements from dry toilets with bare hands, brooms or metal scrappers; carrying excrements and baskets to dumping sites for disposal, is not only diabolic but perhaps the highest degree of human rights violation. The Report of the Human Rights Watch also indicated that the occupation of manual scavenging is a caste based practice in India. Even after 75 years of Independence of the country, lakhs of the dalits are continuing in the unclean occupation. They are the worst victims of cruel social order and they are forced to continue in the same work and are suffering the caste based social exclusion. They are also paid low for their work. Their health and life are threatened, as the occupation is associated with hazardous working condition. They are prone to physical and psychological disorders. They are suffering objective hardship, humiliation, exploitation and social expulsion. Social compulsion to indulge in such heinous and hazardous work is both the rights issue and a social crime as well. Therefore, I have made an attempt in this paper to throw light upon the working conditions and living standards of the people performing scavenging operations and also it highlights the need of changing the beliefs and laws related to manual scavenging.

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