MANUAL SCAVENGING AS A GROSS VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMAN DIGNITY IN INDIA
AUTHOR – J.PIRAVIN ANSARI, STUDENTS AT SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE IN LAW (SOEL), THE TAMILNADU DR. AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY
BEST CITATION – J.PIRAVIN ANSARI, MANUAL SCAVENGING AS A GROSS VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMAN DIGNITY IN INDIA, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (14) OF 2025, PG. 750-757, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.
CHAPTER I – INTRODUCTION AND RESEARCH FRAMEWORK
1.1 Introduction
Manual scavenging is one of the most inhuman, degrading, and exploitative forms of labour in India. It involves the manual handling, removal, and disposal of human excreta from dry latrines, open drains, sewers, and septic tanks[1]. Despite constitutional guarantees of equality, dignity, and freedom from exploitation, the practice continues largely due to caste-based discrimination, poverty, lack of mechanisation, and weak enforcement of laws[2].
[1] The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, § 2(1)(g).
[2] National Human Rights Commission, Report on the Status of Manual Scavenging in India (NHRC, New Delhi