As we have discussed in class, the caste system is still very prevalent in India today, but not simply in the cultural aspect. Rather, because of their caste people have to work in horrendous conditions. An example of this is the lower level Dalits who must dispose of waste by hand. State governments deny this issue and say that this practice does not continue, but many independent studies have shown that it still is very prevleant. Recently, a new law was past that there will be jail times and punishment for those who employ these sewage workers. It also states that those who had this job will receive cash to make up for the loss in job. Although this should be celebrated as a breakthrough, there are many problems with this law. There are no specifications on how the money or the enforcement will go about, and no enforcement has been taken place. The effectiveness of this law uncertain, but it is a step forward.
1) How does being expected to clean waste by hand strip one of their dignity?
2) Keeping in mind of the other problems India faces today including women's issues, how much of a priority should enforcing this ban of manual sewage clean up be?
http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/24/new-law-to-ban-manual-removal-of-human-waste-disappoints/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0
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