Gandhinagar: The Gujarat Congress unit on Monday cited official data to claim that 73 sanitation workers have died in the state over the past decade due to inhumane practices such as septic tank and sewer cleaning. The party accused the state government of lacking the will to effectively enforce the law banning manual scavenging.
Congress Spokesperson's Statement
Addressing reporters at the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) headquarters, spokesperson Hiren Banker said, "The inhumane and degrading practice of manual scavenging, septic tank and sewer cleaning continues in Gujarat. Government data shows 73 people have died in the state in 10 years due to such activities. Why does the BJP government, despite these fatalities, not provide adequate safety equipment for cleaning?"
Recent Incident in Surat
Banker's remarks came a day after four people, including three sanitation workers, died while cleaning a septic tank at a jewellery processing unit in Surat on Sunday morning. Police reported that the deaths were caused by inhalation of toxic gas, leading to asphyxiation. "Such incidents continue to occur frequently in the state," Banker added.
Human Rights Activist's Appeal
Human rights activist Kantilal Parmar has written to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) regarding the deaths of sanitation workers in Surat and demanded action against those responsible. The activist urged the NHRC to intervene and ensure accountability.
The Congress party's allegations highlight the persistent issue of manual scavenging-related deaths in Gujarat, despite legal prohibitions. The party has called for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and provision of protective equipment to prevent further tragedies.
