How many lives must we lose to keep our cities clean?

Open sewage pipes took two more lives in the capital a few days ago. No one made a hue and cry. Anil Sahni, a 19-year-old from Wazirabad, lost his life trying to save a pigeon that was stuck in a sewer pipe. Naseeruddin, a diver from the same area, died trying to save Sahni.

Delhi Jal Board officials, as usual, refused to comment on why the sewer pipe was open and anything else related to the treacherous act of manual scavenging. This, just like Naushad's story, in Kozhikode, who died trying to save a trapped manual scavenger in Kozhikode, Kerala was written off as an act of sacrifice.

Though Sahni’s and Nasseeruddin’s death appears to be a case of drowning, the bodies have been sent for examination to check if toxic gases played any role, just like Naushad who died of asphyxiation.

In Bangalore, two labourers choked to death while cleaning a 15-foot-deep clogged manhole, on Sunday. These are just the reported deaths.

Many die in the capital itself every day going down manholes and septic tanks without proper safety gear. And no one is bothered. We take it for granted because experts tell us there is no alternative for manual scavenging.

When a banned act is being carried out by the government itself, what could we do, when we need to get our septic tanks cleaned? Why wouldn’t private contractors employ them?

The lives sacrificed for keeping a city clutter and filth free do not count. Nor are we concerned about how this carries on for generations in a family, just because it becomes difficult to break out of the cycle. No one is aware of any alternative professions and the caste stigma makes it even more difficult.

The least we can do is prod authorities into adopting safer practices for those related to scavenging. They can be given protective gear, gas masks and health care.

It will not make the profession any less degrading but maybe, a little less dangerous.

Deaths must be recorded, compensation must be provided. Or else, we will forever be known as a country that belittles human life and thrives on pseudo nationalism.