Protect human rights of the marginalised during COVID crisis: academics

They say the crisis was the most acute for minority groups such as Dalits, informal workers

Academics from the Social Science in Humanitarian Action Platform on Friday called on the government to protect the human rights of the poor and marginalised sections of society during the ongoing COVID-19 surge. “In the unfolding disaster, which recently passed 20 million reported COVID-19 cases, human rights, basic services and life-saving supplies must be prioritised for India’s poorest and most marginalised who are experiencing a COVID ‘stress multiplier’. The warning from researchers is based on evidence from the first wave in 2020 which identified the compounding impact the pandemic has on existing vulnerabilities for the most marginalised groups because of inadequate access to basic essentials — from food to water and sanitation, employment and health,” the academics said in a statement. Reviewing the impact of the first wave, the academics said the crisis was the most acute for marginalised and minority groups such as Dalits and informal workers.