"Stinking Truth Of Our Nation": Rights Body Chief On Manual Scavenging

The NHRC chief said that "it is high time we make fundamental shift in our approach and adopt more scientific and innovative technique to end the inhumane, discriminatory and hazardous practice of manual scavenging".

NHRC chairperson justice (retd) Arun Mishra on Monday said manual scavenging still remains a "stinking truth of our nation" and called for adopting a more scientific and innovative technique to end this inhumane and discriminatory practice. He was chairing an online meeting of different stakeholders on ''Manual Scavenging & Hazardous Cleaning'' organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), officials said. Mr Mishra expressed serious concern over the continuance of manual scavenging today and said the "widespread persistence" of this practice, despite laws and guidelines for its elimination, not only goes against the values of our Constitution but also violates numerous national and international rights. "Manual scavenging and hazardous cleaning still remain a stinking truth of our nation," he was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the NHRC.