Karnataka High Court Takes Suo Motu Action Against Lingering Manual Scavenging: 'Shame on Humanity’

The Karnataka High Court, expressing deep concern, has initiated suo motu cognizance of the persisting practice of manual scavenging despite its prohibition. Chief Justice Prasanna B. Varale and Justice Krishna S Dixit questioned the continued existence of such discriminatory practices, deeming it shameful that individuals, due to their birth in a specific community, are still subjected to this form of degradation.

"Is it not a shame on humanity? Is it this for what we all are here?" remarked the Court, emphasizing the disgraceful nature of manual scavenging and the need for societal change.

The Court's attention was drawn to the matter by a December 25, 2023, article in the New Indian Express titled 'Despite Ban, Manual Scavenging Continues.' Expressing dismay, the Court acknowledged the disturbing nature of the news, stating, "The news item certainly shocks one's conscience."

While acknowledging technological advancements that have made manual scavenging obsolete, the Court highlighted that machines designed for this purpose cost only about ₹2,000 per hour. However, Chief Justice Varale underscored that the root of the issue lies not in the unavailability of machinery but in the prevailing mindset.

"You can't sleep with this. You just can't concentrate or anything when these things are still happening in society when, on one hand, for rightful reasons, we say we reached the moon just two months back. We are proud of it ... At the same time, we are not treating our brothers as human beings," lamented the Court.

The suo motu cognizance by the Karnataka High Court underscores the urgency of addressing the deep-rooted problem of manual scavenging, calling for a collective societal transformation to eliminate such practices.

Author: Anushka Taraniya

News Writer, MIT ADT University