Where is Church's role in eliminating manual scavenging, asks Wilson

There are about 13 lakh manual scavengers in India. What has been the Church's response in the eradication of this lowest and most degrading occupation, asks Bezwada Wilson.

Wilson is leading a movement for the elimination of manual scavenging, an occupation which involves cleaning dry latrines and carrying human excreta.

Speaking at a gathering of bishops and leaders of church organisations, Wilson questioned the role of Church in the liberation and rehabilitation of those engaged in manual scavenging, principally imposed by the hereditary caste system.

Wilson has been in the forefront "to reclaim dignity, equality and human personhood" of manual scavengers.

He says the country does not lack determination to host Games and build metros, "but on this issue of human rights it always delays".

"At least 18 times the government missed its promise in implementing a 1993 Act which penalises offenders who continue to build dry latrines or employ persons for manual scavenging. Nowhere in the 625 districts in India has the government implemented this Act," he pointed in a heart-rending sharing.

There is no official data over the number of manual scavengers in India. He asks why Church cannot take an initiative, beginning from its dioceses. He pleads Church to be sensitive to the plights of manual scavengers and provide them with dignified jobs.

Wilson, as the national convenor of Safai Karmachari Andolan, is currently leading a campaign to eliminate manual scavenging by 31 December 2010.