When the rest of the world was partying high and awaiting the arrival of another year, Balmiki women across the country celebrated and ushered in a revolution that would put an end to the degrading and dignity murdering act of cleaning human excreta.
Termed under the euphemism of manual scavenging, this act has been practiced in India for centuries, rendering these people victims of derogation and contempt. Although it is a legally punishable offence, manual scavenging still continues, leaving the workers subjected to an eternity of discrimination only to burden the forthcoming generation with the guilt of having been born or forced into such a life. The demeaning act has at many times been vindicated and sometimes ignored disdainfully, much to the credit of our famed socio-caste values entrenched deep in Indian society.
It is amidst this narrow outlook that emerged the Safai Karamchari Andolan (SKA), spearheaded by Bejawada Wilson, aimed at putting an end to manual scavenging and liberating the workers from the claws of discrimination. The SKA, who have emerged as crusaders for a worthy social cause are determined in liberating a million women, who due to no other means are forced to earn their livelihood from this demeaning labour. Citing major campaigns and bus yatras as a credit to the SKA’s attempt to revive the lost dignity of the labourers, Wilson says it is time women threw away their brooms and turned away from the labour, often doomed as their only means.
Even though politicians have paid attention to manual scavenging, the delayed legislation at strictly implementing the Eradication of Manual Scavenging & Dry Latrines Act (1993) has resulted in the repugnant deed being practiced even after seventeen years since awareness was generated regarding it. Knocking door to door, the SKA has embarked on an awareness campaign, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, encouraging women to throw away their brooms. Many came forward with gruesome tales about the labour they were forced to do, some even at the tender age of ten.
Their efforts have been noticed. On October 23rd, a PAC meeting directed all the states to end the derogatory practice and also outlay a rehabilitation plan. In the events that ensued, the SKA mobilized women from all over the country, who had burdened the shame of a humiliating job and been inflicted inhumane mental torture, stigmatized on the belief that their presence pollutes and swallow that sole unethical justification.
In an attempt to pick up the cudgels amidst the fusillade of criticism the authorities have faced, they submitted false reports claiming that manual scavenging was not observed in their areas. The SKA went from house to house, documented evidence of photographs, video footages and interviews. Aided by a prominent media channel, the accumulation of evidence of the activity was a slap in the face of the authorities. Vested interests have, in some instances tried to silence their dissent. Intolerant of this roughshod, the campaign, a culmination of the decade long pent up anger, frustration & embarrassment of these people, has initiated a crusade against this degrading act. Spewing intense resentment at the narrow outlook that perpetuated this practice, I fervently hope the government takes the right measures to curb it.
A well-written and a heart-rending piece. One hopes that with greaten social awareness and with the advent of modern technology, this most degrading practise will be rooted out.
The alternative latrines to manual scavanging are not difficult to make or any rocket science. The only reason I would say it has lasted so long(I hope it is abloished all together now) is because we indians are reluctant to change from traditions.
god bless all.