
3 Things
Sewer deaths in Delhi, a Hindu monk's arrest, and animal cruelty
Dec 4, 2024
Dheeraj Mishra, a reporter for The Indian Express, shares his deep dive into the tragic sewer deaths in Delhi, highlighting alarming statistics and the little legal action taken. Shubhajit Roy, the publication's Diplomatic Affairs Editor, discusses the arrest of a Hindu monk, igniting protests and straining India-Bangladesh relations. The conversation also touches on systemic neglect in labor safety and the urgent need for better protections for marginalized workers. It's a compelling look at pressing social issues and their broader implications.
26:30
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Quick takeaways
- The alarming frequency of sewer deaths in Delhi highlights the failure of legal protections against manual scavenging, largely affecting marginalized communities.
- The arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das has ignited protests in Bangladesh, reflecting rising concerns over minority safety and diplomatic tensions with India.
Deep dives
Sewer Deaths in Delhi
Ninety-four individuals have died over the last 15 years while cleaning sewers in Delhi due to toxic gas exposure. Despite a law enacted in 2013 that prohibits manual scavenging, there is a major gap in its enforcement, resulting in only one conviction throughout this period. The law mandates that protective gear be provided to those entering sewers, but in practice, this is rarely followed, leading to continued fatalities among Safai Kamcharis, most of whom belong to the Walmiki community. The lack of social power and resources for these workers typically results in little to no legal recourse for the victims' families, allowing negligent employers to evade accountability.
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