Published Paper Details:

This research report provides a socio-economic analysis of the Valmiki community in Santacruz (East), Mumbai, a group historically marginalized and linked to sanitation work. Using Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's framework of 'Educate, Agitate, Organize', the paper examines the community's journey from historical degradation to modern-day resilience. The analysis reveals a significant gap in the 'Educate' pillar, with the community lagging behind other marginalized groups in educational attainment due to a vicious cycle of poverty, occupational stigma, and a lack of awareness regarding government schemes. In contrast, the community has achieved remarkable success through 'Agitate' and 'Organize', as demonstrated by the Kachra Vahtuk Shramik Sangh (KVSS). The union's multi-decade legal battle ended in landmark (historical) court rulings. These decisions granted permanent employment and back wages to sanitation workers, highlighting that collective action (united effort) is the most effective tool for securing their rights. Despite these victories, the community faces persistent systemic barriers, including pervasive financial exploitation by moneylenders and institutional discrimination. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) addresses these issues by exploiting contractual labour to deny workers benefits and utilizes legal loopholes to bypass critical legislation, such as the Prohibition of Manual Scavengers Act, 2013. The study concludes that while the community's resilience and organized efforts have led to tangible gains, their progress is incomplete and fragile. The report recommends a multi-pronged approach to address these systemic issues, including abolishing the contract system, strengthening legal protections, implementing targeted educational and financial literacy programs, and providing sustained support to grassroots organizations like the KVSS. These recommendations aim to facilitate a holistic and dignified transformation for the Valmiki community.