Overview

This is the telling indictment of India's lack of resolve over the past 100 years to get rid of the manual scavenging and transportation of human excrement. Since Ghandi raised the question of untouchability in 1901 there have been reports, recommendations and funding, but so far little has changed. Almost every state government denies the existence of the problem. The author suggests that there is a silent and shameful opposition in India to the eradication of untouchability. The Bhangis are trapped in a caste-ordained system which impedes rehabilitation and movement into alternative work. Can attitudes change, or will the dignity, justice and equality enshrined in the constitution remain no nearer to the Bhangis than it was in 1947?

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9781842772676

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'Deserves notice in an academic publication both for the social challenges that it raises and for the implicit questions about caste, community, identity and reform that it provokes...a readable, relevant and necessary voice for change about a seemingly intractable malaise.' - Journal of Asian Studies

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Mari Marcel Thekaekara is an Indian journalist with a development background.

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