The Diversified Form of Manual Scavenging and How it Perpetuates the Caste System

Abstract

This paper explores the changing definition of manual scavenging in India, offering a glimpse into their harsh lifestyle, which is forced upon them mainly due to the caste they happen to be born into. In the past, people born into the Dalit caste, which is lowest according to the Hindu caste hierarchy in India, engaged in cleaning dry latrines, where they picked up human waste using their bare hands. Today, the occupation is passed on to subsequent generations, albeit in different and diversified forms, but in ways that perpetuate casteism and social stigma. This diversified occupation has also become far more hazardous, at times even fatal. Those employed,
for instance, have been ‘promoted’ from cleaning dry latrines, to cleaning sewer lines, which are filled with toxic gases. This has led to the death of many, mainly due to asphyxiation. Several government policies have been formulated over the years to eliminate this horrific occupation, which could prevent deaths and also remove stereotypes surrounding caste-based occupations. However, the policies have benefited only a few, leaving many in the warp of poverty, danger and societal stigma of caste.