'Manual scavenging violation of Constitution'

The sad plight of manual scavengers was highlighted during a public discussion on the occasion of Constitution Day here on Thursday.

Safai Karamchari Kavalu Samithi state convener K B Obalesha, speaking about Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Bill, said: “The Act has not been properly implemented. It is a inhuman practice that forces one community to live without self-esteem and under increasing harassment. They are also deprived of justice. This goes against the Constitution.”

The discussion titled ‘We, the People’ was organised by Forum for Popularising the Constitution of India in collaboration with a few other organisations.

Akkai Padmashali, transgender activist and Karnataka Rajyotsava Award winner, sought more respect and security for transgenders in the State. “Transgenders cannot move around freely in Karnataka. They are considered as criminals. Where is social justice?” she asked. Highlighting the state of school education, Vinay Srinivas of Alternate Law Forum, spoke about the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009. “There are lakhs of people who have not gone to school and hence not many of them know the Constitution,” he said.