- . March 27, 2014
- Safai Karmachari Andolan welcomes historic judgment of Supreme Court on eradication of inhuman
- practice of manual scavenging. In its judgment today Supreme Court has deprecated the
- continuance of manual scavenging in the
- in blatant violation of Article 17 of the
- by which, “untouchability is abolished and its practice in any form is
- forbidden”. The court was emphatic about the duty cast on all sates and union territories “to
- fully implement (the
- ) and to take action against the violators. In a significant
- endorsement of concerns raised by Safai Karmachari Andolan, the Supreme Court directed the
- government to, “Identify the families of all persons who have died in sewerage work (manholes,
- ) since 1993 and award compensation of Rs.10 lakhs for each such death to the
- family members depending on them”.The judgment has been given by Supreme Court Bench headed by
- P Sathasivam.
- The court has been categorical that, “If the practice of manual scavenging has to be brought to
- a close and also to prevent future generations from the inhuman practice of manual scavenging,
- rehabilitation of manual scavengers will need to include:-
- (a) Sewer deaths – entering sewer lines without safety gears should be made a crime even in
- emergency situations. For each such death, compensation of Rs. 10 lakhs should be given to the
- family of the
- .
- (b) Railways– should take time bound strategy to end manual scavenging on the tracks.
- (c) Persons released from manual scavenging should not have to cross hurdles to receive what is
- their legitimate due under the law.
- (d) Provide support for dignified livelihood to safai karamchari women in accordance with their
- choice of livelihood schemes.
- Court also said that rehabilitation must be based on the principles of justice and
- transformation. The court also directed the
- , which is the largest employer of
- manual scavengers in the country, to take time bound strategy to end manual scavenging on the
- tracks.
- National convenor of Safai Karamchari AndolanBezwada Wilsonsaid that,this is a victory of
- manual scavengers who have been fighting across the country for their liberation against the
- denial of central and various state governments repeatedly.The court acknowledged the
- significance of the data provided by the petitioner Safai Karmachari Andolan in its 12 years
- legal battle demonstrating, “that the practice of manual scavenging continues unabated. Dry
- latrines continue to exist notwithstanding the fact that the 1993 Act was in force for nearly
- two decades. States have acted in denial of the 1993 Act and the constitutional mandate to
- abolish untouchability.”
- Safai Karmachari Andolan, who has been spearheading the movement to end this obnoxious practice
- of manual scavenging across the country from last thirty years, said that the judgment has been
- huge armor in our fight and we are not going to rest until this judgment is fully implemented
- in letter and spirit across the country. The mission of Safai Karmachari Andolan is not to
- sleep until the last
- is liberated and rehabilitated with a dignified
- profession.
- —
- National Convenor
- Safai Karmchari Andolan,
- 36 / 13 Ground Floor, East Patel Nagar
- New Delhi – 110 008
- Mob – 09311234793 , Ph-01125863166
May 8, 2014 at 10:49 pm
Ambedkar demanded separate nation, not reservations for SC/ST. Google “Communal Award”