Dalit Sagharsh Samiti (Ambedkarvada) on Sunday sought action against Sulabh International for allegedly allowing manual scavenging on its premises.
S.P. Anand, district convener of DSS, raised the issue during the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes grievance redressal meeting at the office of Mangaluru City Police Commissioner here.
He accused operators of Sulabh International’s public toilets at the fish market near State Bank and near the Lady Goschen Hospital of employing Dalits to clear blocks in manholes. The organisation is continuing with the practice despite a Supreme Court ban. Sulabh International was not making use of Mangaluru City Corporation’s sewage sucking machine, he said.
Mr. Anand said that he clicked photographs of those entering manholes and cleaning them 20 days ago at Hampankatta. Those who take up cleaning of manholes are Dalits. They [Dalits] are forced to do it to meet their ends. These people are putting their lives at risk by taking up such cleaning work, he said.
His attempt to file a police complaint with Mangaluru South Police went in vain as he was asked to approach the police inspector.
The inspector was busy with bandobast duty and Mr. Anand could not meet him, he said.
While directing Mr. Anand to file a complaint with him, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) K.M. Shantaraju said that action will be taken as per law if the operators were found to be negligent.
Sulabh International is not making use of the corporation's sewage sucking machine: DSS
