Problems Faced by Manual Scavengers in Chennai

The practice of manual scavenging in India lives today in a milieu apparently antagonistic to its incidence as a country that has long been tagged the world's largest democracy having a progressive and protective constitution forming the fundamental law of superior obligation with an apex court performing the function of a sentinel on the qui vive and a system of laws intended to forbid and penalize acts of discrimination on the basis of caste. This research makes an attempt to answer the query as to how and why this ostensibly infallible formula for equality has failed in alleviation of centuries of subjugation and segregation for millions of scavengers at the bottom of India's caste system. It concludes that the stigma attached to manual scavenging and the demeaning conduct in itself are proves of the failure of the Constitution. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar said, Manual Scavengers must abolish their slavery themselves. Do not depend for its abolition upon god or a superman. Remember that it is not enough that a people are numerically in the majority. They must be always watchful, strong and self-respecting to attain and maintain success. We must shape our course ourselves and by ourselves.