Laws on Manual Scavenging – Hope Crushed and Justice Denied

Abstract

Manual Scavenging is a practice which dates back to centuries. In order to give hopes to the families who are traditionally involved in the system and for whom an alternate profession is not possible due to socio-economic pressures, law has played a positive role. Though we have law at normative level, their plight remains the same, their hopes are crushed by the socio economic complexities and thus justice is denied,. Recent petitions in the Supreme Court and the active role being played by Karnataka High Court are the ray of hope to look forward to.