The Practice of Manual Scavenging In India and Its Deleterious Effects on Human Rights: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Manual Scavenging exists since time immemorial and is imbibed in the caste system in India. The practice of manual cleaning, even with the use of safety equipment not only violates the legal mechanism but also reveals the inhuman behavior inflicted upon a particular class of people and their unfortunate circumstances. There have been various legislative and judicial attempts made to eradicate this problem of Manual Scavenging. It is therefore imperative to understand the measures undertaken to eradicate this practice. The paper suggests a probable solution to curb the problem.