On September 11, 2024, in BBMP Ward No. 72, six female pourakarmikas (Municipal Sanitation workers) were violently assaulted and subjected to caste-based abuse while performing their cleaning duties. The incident involved a local resident, Chandru, and his mother, who verbally abused the pourakarmikas with caste slurs, destroyed one worker’s phone when she attempted to record the abuse, and physically assaulted several workers, causing serious injuries. Despite the filing of an FIR under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, no arrests have been made to date. The BBMP Pourakarmikara Sangha has condemned both the violence and the inaction by the authorities, calling for urgent action.
At a press conference held today, the BBMP Pourakarmikara Sangha highlighted the failure of the police to take adequate action and arrest the culprits. They highlighted the grave vulnerabilities under which workers are forced to work. They held a protest demonstration on September 18, 2024, in front of the BBMP office, demanding immediate justice and systemic reforms.
Comrade Nirmala, President of the BBMP Pourakarmikara Sangha, addressed the press, stating, “This incident highlights the great dangers under which pourakarmikas are forced to work. It also shows the triple oppression they endure daily—based on their caste, gender, and class. Despite doing essential public health work, they are met with systemic discrimination and violence, which needs immediate attention and correction.”
Smt. Lakshmi, one of the pourakarmikas who was assaulted, spoke emotionally about the violation of her dignity and the lack of accountability from the authorities. “Why have the culprits not yet been arrested?” she questioned. “They violated my dignity in public, and the fact that there has been no action against them shows negligence towards workers like us.”
Smt. Muniratna, another victim of the assault, expressed her frustration at the differential treatment they are receiving due to their marginalised status. “Are we not entitled to justice? Why is our case being treated differently just because we come from the Dalit and poor communities? We demand equal justice,” she said.
Comrade Rangamma highlighted the daily caste atrocities faced by pourakarmikas, stating, “It’s not just this one incident. We deal with untouchability every day. We are not allowed to touch the gates of certain homes, and people give us water in bathroom mugs. This is the discrimination we face, even while performing essential work.”
Comrade Appanna, State Secretary of AICCTU (All India Central Council of Trade Unions), condemned the systemic exploitation of Dalit workers within the BBMP. He said, “This is not just an isolated incident; it points to a deeper, systemic problem within the BBMP. Dalit pourakarmikas, especially women, are subjected to exploitative working conditions and treated as disposable labour. The BBMP and the State Government must act immediately to ensure fair and dignified working conditions for all pourakarmikas.”
In response to the authorities’ failure to arrest the accused and the BBMP’s lack of protection for its workers, the BBMP Pourakarmikara Sangha demanded through the protest on September 18, in front of the BBMP office:
Immediate arrest of the culprits involved in the assault.
Compensation of ₹10 lakhs for each of the assaulted pourakarmikas.
Implementation of strict safety measures to protect pourakarmikas from violence and harassment.
Comprehensive reforms to address the systemic exploitation of Dalit, female, and low-income workers within the BBMP.
The BBMP Pourakarmikara Sangha calls on the public and civil society organisations to join the struggle in support of justice, dignity, and equal rights for pourakarmikas.
