Indian Inclusion Efforts Relevance to Scavenger Community: A Cross-sectional Study in Haryana

Abstract

Manual scavenging is a caste-based occupation (Shahid, 2015, Social Change, 45(2), 242–255). It involves the manual removal of human excreta from dry latrines and septic tanks (using basic tools such as tin boards, buckets and baskets lined with sacking) and then carrying it on the head or shoulder and disposing it away (Kumar, 2014, Scavenger community at the crossroads: Reflection on state intervention). Broadly, these people work in municipal corporation, railways, households, cleaning of open defecation area, industries and hotels where they deal with human and animal excreta. Dealing in sewerage and manholes, garbage loading and caring and cleaning animal carcass is also included in manual scavenging. Historically, the scavenger community is considered to be untouchable (Singh, 2014, Contemporary Voice of Dalit, 7(1), 81–94), because of lowest caste status and lowest occupational status. Their lowest social status made them to face exclusion in almost all domains in society. They are protected through constitutional rights in documents and are provided with some welfare services for their development. This study aims to understand the current status of social exclusion of scavenger community and usefulness of government inclusion policies on social and occupational status of scavenger community. This is a cross-sectional study, following mixed method research design. The study was conducted in four towns of Haryana: Ladwa, Kurukshetra, Indri and Radwar. The safai karamchari (sanitary workers) of municipalities from these four towns were selected as respondents. Data was collected through semi-structured interview and structured tool was used for assessing social exclusion. Here, the results show that all respondents ( safai karamchari) belong to Balmiki caste and all were Hindu by religion. Among them, 62% respondents were illiterate, more than 80% reported that this work was transferred from ancestors or lack of opportunity, and 98% reported no protective gears provided while working. Social exclusion found prevalent in almost all domains, while the face exclusion was in social, cultural, educational, occupational, political domains and accessing social services. The result shows that Indian policies for social inclusion fail in case of scavenger community. Therefore, this is matter of dealing for social work profession.