TO THE PRIME MINISTER...
... is where Aamir went to emphasize the need to abolish manual scavenging
It is shameful that an estimated three lakh people from the oppressed classes are still forced to clean night soil or human excreta in many parts of India.
In July 2012, on Satyamev Jayate's Untouchability episode, Aamir spoke about this inhuman practice, focusing on the plight of manual scavengers who are still treated as untouchables. During the episode, Aamir made a promise to meet the Prime Minister and draw his attention to this issue.
Aamir fulfilled his promise and called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh a few weeks after the July 8, 2012 telecast. He requested the PM to take measures to abolish this practice. He later told reporters that Dr Singh had assured him that he would pay special attention to the issue and address it on a priority basis.
Later, Aamir held a separate meeting with Mukul Wasnik, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment. Wasnik promised Aamir that his department was working on ways to put an end to the practice at the earliest, and rehabilitate manual scavengers.
The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Bill became an Act on September 18, 2013. To read about its salient features and expert opinions on it, click here .
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