India is a Constitutional democracy which guarantees its citizens basic human rights in the form of fundamental rights. But despite having fundamental rights, manual scavenging Dalits in India do not enjoy the same kind of rights as other communities do. Manual scavengers are involved in cleanliness jobs which are mostly considered as impure and polluted and without any human dignity. Manual scavenging is not only degrading and discriminatory in nature but is also fatal. Every year hundreds of manual scavengers get injured, fall sick or die without any bodily protection. In this context, this paper tries to explore the socio-economic condition of manual scavengers who despite having constitutional and legal protection in India have to face discrimination and dehumanisation. It is argued in the paper that as manual scavenging is a caste based job in India, it is difficult to bring any transformation in their position unless caste itself is eradicated from the Indian society. The paper also discusses the role of Dalit women in manual scavenging and how they are a preferred choice for this job. The lack of serious attitude and concrete measures by the state to eradicate manual scavenging goes against the spirit of Indian constitution and at the same time contributes to the long held view that caste based jobs are here to stay.
