On Wednesday, the Karnataka High Court proactively addressed the ongoing issue of manual scavenging within the state, acknowledging the persistent violation of the legal ban on this practice.

The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Prasanna B. Varale and Justice Krishna S. Dixit,highlighted the deep-seated caste discrimination intertwined with the practice of manual scavenging.

The bench expressed dismay at the fact that individuals are still being summoned to clean septic tanks throughout the state. They emphasized that the news, published on December 25, 2023, in The New Indian Express under the title 'Despite ban, manual scavenging continues,' is profoundly distressing and strikes at the conscience of society

The court has called upon Advocate Shridhar Prabhu to act as amicus curiae in this case, directing him to file a public interest litigation with the registry. Additionally, the Registry has been instructed to schedule the hearing for Monday.

Chief Justice Varale said the practice of manual scavenging was no longer required with the advent of technology. However, he remarked, "Our problem is not availability of machinery, our problem is our mindset.”