Gandhi Memorial Lecture
Manual Scavenging : A Challenge to Democracy
Speaker: Bezwada Wilson (National Convenor, Safai Karmchari Andolan, New Delhi)
Date and time
Webinar link
Venue
RRI Auditorium
Abstract
Bezwada Wilson is a Karnataka-born human rights activist. An alumnus of the Dr. BR Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad, he has been a crusader against human scavenging. He has dedicated his life towards eradication of manual scavenging from India.
Born into a community involved in human scavenging working in Kolar gold fields, Wilson's fight, since mid 1980s, has been centered around putting an end to the undignified, undesirable and low-paid profession involving sub-casts of Dalit community.
He is presently the National Convenor of the community-driven Safai Karmachari Andolan, which he co-founded in 1994. Sustained efforts by his group led to the introduction of The Prohibition of Employment of Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act - 2013. The Safai Karmachari Andolan even proposed compensation of Rs. 10 lakh to families of sewers in case of death while on duty ; proposed mandatory safety gears for sewers to perform their duty and more.
Wilson's group has been advocating the complete elimination of manual removal of human waste by replacing it using mechanised systems ; the conversion of dry toilets to flush-based toilet system. Working with the Dalit community's upliftment, he has been creating awareness about their entitled rights to education, employability, and work, law.
In 2016, Wilson was honoured with the Ramon Magsaysay award for 'asserting the inalienable right to a life with human dignity'.
Born into a community involved in human scavenging working in Kolar gold fields, Wilson's fight, since mid 1980s, has been centered around putting an end to the undignified, undesirable and low-paid profession involving sub-casts of Dalit community.
He is presently the National Convenor of the community-driven Safai Karmachari Andolan, which he co-founded in 1994. Sustained efforts by his group led to the introduction of The Prohibition of Employment of Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act - 2013. The Safai Karmachari Andolan even proposed compensation of Rs. 10 lakh to families of sewers in case of death while on duty ; proposed mandatory safety gears for sewers to perform their duty and more.
Wilson's group has been advocating the complete elimination of manual removal of human waste by replacing it using mechanised systems ; the conversion of dry toilets to flush-based toilet system. Working with the Dalit community's upliftment, he has been creating awareness about their entitled rights to education, employability, and work, law.
In 2016, Wilson was honoured with the Ramon Magsaysay award for 'asserting the inalienable right to a life with human dignity'.