IN VILLAGE WHERE PILGRIMS GATHER YEARLY AND TOILETS ARE SCARCE, UNTOUCHABLE MEN EMPLOYED BY THE STATE AS MANUAL SCAVENGERS REFUSE THIS DEGRADING DUTY AND SEEK REHABILITATION

Maharashtra: Revolt against manual scavenging (IBN Live)

“There has been a revolt against the illegal and inhuman system of manual scavenging in Pandharpur in Maharashtra. Young men of the Mehtar caste, who have traditionally been manual scavengers for over 100 years, have refused to continue with the degrading system, ending decades of humiliation.

“Every year close to 1 crore ‘Waris’ or pilgrims, gather in Pandharpur. In the absence of any sanitation infrastructure, the administration coerces member of the Mehtar caste to work as manual scavengers.

“Despite a ban on manual scavenging, this practice has been on in Pandhrapur for more than 100 years.”