New Delhi, June 3: In a poignant visit to the family of Sagar, one of the two housekeeping employees who tragically died while cleaning a gutter at D Mall in Rohini, Delhi, on May 12, Prof. Mohammed Salim Engineer, Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, passionately called for the strict enforcement of the ban on manual scavenging. Despite its prohibition, this dangerous and degrading practice continues to claim the lives of workers, exposing a significant social injustice that demands immediate attention.
Prof. Salim extended his heartfelt condolences to Sagar’s grieving family, acknowledging the profound loss they have endured. He emphasized the urgent need for authorities to ensure that the laws banning manual scavenging are rigorously implemented to prevent further tragedies.
“The death of Sagar is not just a personal loss for his family but a glaring indictment of our society’s failure to protect its most vulnerable members,” Prof. Salim remarked.
During his visit, Prof. Salim demanded fair compensation for the families affected by such incidents, advocating for their financial and emotional support. He highlighted the continuous plight of manual scavengers who, despite the legal prohibitions, are often forced into perilous working conditions due to poverty and lack of alternative employment opportunities.
“It is imperative that we not only enforce the ban on manual scavenging but also provide sustainable livelihood options for these workers to ensure their safety and dignity,” Prof. Salim asserted.
He urged the government and relevant authorities to take immediate and concrete steps to uphold the rights of these marginalized workers and to protect them from further exploitation and harm.
Prof. Salim’s visit underscores the critical need for societal and governmental action to address and eradicate the ongoing issue of manual scavenging, ensuring that no more lives are lost to this preventable and unlawful practice.
