Manual scavenging in India: Violation of Human Rights

Manual Scavenging is one of the worst forms of practice that is prevalent in India even after a number of legislations, policies, schemes, rules adopted by States and Centre in order to eradicate it. It is the practice of removing night soil either through bare hands or with the help brooms. Manual scavenging has been in existence since human civilization. It is basically a stigma that is being related to the lower sections of the society, exclusively Dalits, and more particularly the lower class Dalits. At its worst, most of the people don’t even realize it as a social problem. Therefore, this study is being made to understand the reason behind the origin of this deplorable practice and how this practice has grown to be a big issue at present which has also become so hard to be eradicated. The study is being made to focus on the life of the manual scavengers and the challenges they face socially as well as economically in a day to day lives.The study shows how this inhuman practice is violative of human as well as fundamental rights of the manual scavengers. The study furthers covers the present condition of this section of people and that the recognition of the issue and then rehabilitation followed by opportunities and exposure to different jobs can lead to the extinction of this problem. Further, it is so disgusting on part of a country like India where with the great leads in science and technology, still left are some sections of the Indian Society that collect night soil through their bare hands, broom or metal scrappers.