Manual Scavenging: A Curse

Authors: Shubhi jadoun and Sarabjit Kaur, Students, Lloyd Law College, Greater Noida, India

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ABSTRACT

Manual Scavenging is a hazardous job which includes manual treatment like carrying, cleaning and disposing of human excreta from open pits, channel, and sewages by use of brooms and even bare hands sometimes. This causes numerous health-related problems and also brings a rift in the society as this job is done only by lower caste people. This is not only unhygienic but also a consequential obstacle in their lives. It is a grave violation of fundamental and human rights of the scavengers. India has also prohibited this profession as it does not allow these scavengers to live a dignified and healthy life but we fail as a nation because even after being unsuitable and perilous as a technique for removal of human waste and even after having international conventions, stringent national laws and policies, this practice of manual scavenging still prevails in our country. This article will deal with the origin of manual scavenging and how it has always promoted caste-based discrimination in our society. The authors will also deal with the structure of national and international laws that try to safeguard the essential rights of these people and would critically analyse the failure and loopholes in these stringent laws as they fail as the protector of their rights. We live in 21st century where accessibility of basic and ease choices which can kill the twin issues of manual searching and safe removal of human excreta is possible due to technology advancements but we still choose a method of ‘SLAVERY’. Thus, apart from examination of legal structure, this article would also suggest the alternatives to this twin issue.

Keywords: Fundamental Rights, manual treatment, health problems, caste.

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