The state of Public Sanitation in India is pitiable even after Sixty years of self rule. it is the responsibility of the Govt fully and squarely to ensure not only cleanliness of our public places but also to enact laws to and enforce them in the area of public sanitation. These days it has become fashionable for the state Govts to simply shirk responsibility saying "fund shortage". The Safai Karmacharis are unionised and today get their demands met by resorting to strikes and other militant activities. The karmacharis demand better working conditions but they continue to work in dangerous and filthy conditions. They oppose all forms of mechanised working for fear of losing their jobs.They have even sought reservations for their children for this work. They use these methods to seek public sympathy but they do not fight on broader social issues because of loss of gainful and secure employment. No political leader is interested in addressing their problem beyond a token lip sympathy. It is for the safai karmacharis and those working in such conditions to find a way out. Why cannot they force the political parties to this problem rather than whining away on their lot as the author has done.
