Nearly 25 Sewer and Septic Tank Deaths Reported Across India in 3 Months
(Asian independent) Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM) cordially invites members of the media, civil society members, trade unions, researchers, academics, and concerned citizens to attend a press conference on the continuing crisis of manual scavenging and the recurring deaths of sanitation workers engaged in hazardous sewer and septic tank cleaning across India.
Despite constitutional guarantees of equality and dignity, clear legal prohibitions, and repeated directions from the Supreme Court, sanitation workers continue to lose their lives while carrying out dangerous cleaning work under unsafe conditions. In the past three months alone, at least 25 workers have died while cleaning sewers and septic tanks in different parts of the country.
These deaths are not isolated or unfortunate accidents but reflect the continued existence of caste-based and exploitative labour practices, the absence of adequate mechanisation, weak enforcement of safety standards, and the persistent failure of state institutions and civic authorities to uphold the law. The practice of sending workers into toxic sewers and septic tanks without proper protection remains a serious violation of human rights, labour rights, and constitutional values.
The press conference aims to draw immediate attention to the ongoing reality of hazardous sanitation work and the structural conditions that perpetuate it, while highlighting the ongoing denial of justice, accountability, rehabilitation, and dignified livelihoods for sanitation workers and their families.
The Issues for Discussion
Continuing sewer and septic tank deaths despite legal prohibition
Failure to fix the accountability of contractors, municipal bodies, and government agencies responsible for life-threatening cleaning operations.
Extremely low conviction rates under the Manual Scavenging Act despite repeated violations
Delays and irregularities in compensation for the families of deceased workers
Inadequate implementation of rehabilitation measures and a lack of sustainable livelihood alternatives.
Failure to ensure mechanisation and enforce mandatory safety measures in sanitation work
Limited public and institutional awareness regarding the Manual Scavenging Act and the Supreme Court guidelines
Urgent need for stronger legal enforcement, institutional accountability, and social transformation to eradicate caste-based sanitation labour.
Speakers
1. Sushil Kumar Chandel, General Secretary, Delhi Jal Board Sewer Department Mazdoor Sangathan
2. Dharmendra Bhati, President, Municipal Workers Lal Jhanda Union (CITU)
3. Kawalpreet Kaur, Lawyer
4. Rajiv Paliwal, National President, Akhil Bhartiya Nigam Mazdoor Adhikar Union
5. Mohsina Akhter, National Coordinator, Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM)
Moderator
Sunita Chouhan, National Coordinator, Mahila Kaamkaji Manch, a women’s wing of DASAM
Date: 22 May 2026
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Venue: New Lounge, Ground Floor, Press Club of India, New Delhi
Your participation will be important in amplifying the voices of sanitation workers, affected families, and marginalised communities who continue to bear the burden of caste-based and hazardous labour.
We look forward to your presence and support in strengthening the collective demand for justice, accountability, rehabilitation, safety, and dignity for all sanitation workers.
Organised by Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM)
For contact: 8491052270
