Can Robotic Cleaning Replace Manual Scavenging?

A Human Problem Beyond Technical Solutions

Newsreel Asia Insight #82
Dec. 24, 2023

Rajasthan has introduced robotic cleaners, a significant technological advancement aimed at replacing manual scavenging. While this represents a notable step forward, it may not scratch the surface of a deeper, more profound issue: the persistent lack of dignity imposed on Dalits, the community most affected by manual scavenging. After all, the problem of manual scavenging is not merely technical but deeply human.

The state, having witnessed the tragic loss of 13 lives in the past five years due to manual scavenging, is now setting a precedent for others, as reported by The Mooknayak. As part of an initiative of the previous Congress-led administration, each of the state’s 10 municipal corporations has been equipped with two robots, and every one of the 203 municipalities and city councils has received one.

The Central government’s Safai Mitra Suraksha Challenge, introduced in 2020, aimed at eliminating manual scavenging, finds a strong ally in Rajasthan’s efforts. The state’s directive, issued on July 6, 2021, mandated the use of machines for cleaning septic tanks and sewage chambers.

Manufactured by GenRobotics in Kerala, Bandicoot’s design is inspired by the movement of bandicoots, a group of large rodents. Its introduction in Thiruvananthapuram and subsequent adoption by 18 states in India and several countries globally, speaks volumes about its effectiveness.

Nevertheless, the delayed introduction of this technology, and by a non-state entity, highlights governmental apathy towards an issue steeped in deep-seated social prejudices. This delay partly explains why manual scavenging persists despite the existence of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act since 2013.

According to Mooknayak, it is estimated that nearly 2,000 manual scavengers die annually in sewers, primarily due to exposure to poisonous gases, with the actual number potentially being higher. The 2011 Census data revealed that roughly 770,000 individuals, predominantly Dalits, were engaged in sewer cleaning.

The dignity of labour, especially that of sanitation work, remains undervalued and stigmatised despite its essential nature for public health and hygiene. Historically, Dalits, who are at the bottom of the caste hierarchy, have been relegated to occupations considered “unclean” or “undesirable” by the rest of society, with sanitation work being a prime example. The stigma is not just about the nature of the work but is intrinsically linked to the identity of the workers themselves.

Moreover, the rehabilitation of those who have been engaged in manual scavenging is paramount. Providing alternative employment opportunities is essential, but so is ensuring their social integration and acceptance. The transition from manual scavenging to other forms of employment should not be just about a change in job description but about a restoration of dignity and respect.

The technological solution is just one part of a much larger puzzle.

Social reform movements, alongside technological advancements, can play a crucial role. By bringing caste-based issues to the forefront of public discourse, they can challenge societal apathy and encourage a broader understanding of the plight of manual scavengers. They can also empower manual scavengers by mobilising them to fight for their rights. Continuous activism and advocacy by these movements can create public pressure on governments and institutions, holding them accountable for the protection and upliftment of manual scavengers.

Let’s not forget that it’s a human problem that requires a human solution – one that respects and upholds the dignity of every individual, regardless of their caste or the nature of their work.