The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed deep concern over the tragic death of six sanitation workers who were trapped inside an under-construction septic tank at Gaud Karlakhunta village under Madanpur-Rampur block in Odisha’s Kalahandi district on May 26.
Taking cognisance of a petition filed by the National Alliance of Independent Labour Union (NAILU) National Convener Rakshyakar Anupam, the Commission has directed the Kalahandi District Magistrate to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within two weeks.
In a strongly worded order, the NHRC observed that the “evil practice of manual scavenging keeps on taking lives, violating the right to life and the right to live with human dignity.”
The Commission noted that despite repeated interventions and directions from the Supreme Court of India, the inhuman practice continues to claim lives across the country, undermining the fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
“Despite repeated interventions and directions of the Supreme Court of India, the abominable practice of manual scavenging keeps on taking lives, violating the most valued human right of all — the right to life and the right to live with human dignity,” the Commission stated.
According to the petition, the six sanitation workers died while undertaking hazardous cleaning operations without adequate safety measures, mechanised equipment or protective gear. The petition alleged that the workers were exposed to life-threatening conditions in the absence of mandatory safeguards and emergency response mechanisms.
It further pointed out that, notwithstanding constitutional guarantees, legislative measures and judicial directives, sanitation workers continue to be forced to enter septic tanks and sewers manually, often without oxygen support systems, gas detectors, safety harnesses, protective equipment, insurance coverage or rescue arrangements.
The labour rights organisation argued that the recurring deaths of sanitation workers expose a disturbing gap between legal prohibition and ground-level implementation. Despite a clear statutory ban on manual scavenging, workers continue to be compelled—directly or indirectly—to undertake hazardous cleaning operations under unsafe conditions, it said.
Describing sanitation workers as among the most vulnerable sections of the workforce, NAILU emphasised that they deserve the highest degree of constitutional protection, social dignity and occupational safety.
“Those who clean society should not be abandoned by society,” the petition stated, calling for strict accountability and effective enforcement of laws aimed at eliminating manual scavenging.
The NHRC has sought a detailed report from the district administration on the circumstances leading to the tragedy, the action taken against those responsible, and the measures initiated to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.