Is CM Stalin doing enough to protect sanitation workers in Tamil Nadu?

Chennai: The DMK-led government in Tamil Nadu is facing intense criticism for failing to uphold its promise to eliminate manual scavenging, a commitment rooted in the principles of social justice. Despite repeated assurances of safety, dignity and protection for sanitation workers, the state continues to report deaths in sewers and septic tanks, revealing a wide gap between policy pledges and ground reality.

What were the promises made?

In the lead-up to the 2021 state assembly elections, senior DMK leaders vowed to completely eradicate manual scavenging. Their election manifesto spoke of modernising sanitation systems, introducing automated cleaning technologies and strictly prohibiting human involvement in hazardous cleaning work.

These promises, inspired by the Dravidian movement’s focus on equality and justice, had raised strong hopes among sanitation workers across the state. However, four years on, those hopes have faded. Fatal incidents involving sanitation workers continue, often because they work without adequate safety gear or proper supervision.

What do the numbers show?

Each death tells a story of neglect and silence. Families of the victims often say that officials offer compensation but fail to provide lasting solutions. The data paints a grim picture. Between 2021 and September 2025, Tamil Nadu has continued to witness tragic fatalities among sanitation workers. In 2021, between six and 10 workers lost their lives, while the number rose to around 14 to 16 in 2022. The following year, reports documented at least 15 to 18 deaths, including five in May alone.

In 2024, another 12 to 15 workers died during sewer and septic cleaning operations. By September 2025, eight more fatalities had been reported, with three of them occurring in a single incident in Tiruppur.

A recent tragedy occurred in Thiruppathi Nagar near Balaji Nagar, Kolathur, Chennai, where a sanitation worker named Kuppan died instantly after inhaling toxic fumes while cleaning a sewage channel. Activists believe such incidents are severely underreported and that the actual numbers could be much higher.

Have government measures worked?

Critics argue that most of the government’s initiatives have been cosmetic. Although robotic cleaning devices were introduced in a few areas like Chepauk in 2021, their wider use has progressed very slowly. Across much of Tamil Nadu, sanitation workers still rely on basic tools and manual labour to clean septic tanks.

Similarly, the Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme (AABCS), intended to help sanitation workers become entrepreneurs, has achieved little success.

By mid-2023, campaigners pointed out that the project remained largely on paper, with few beneficiaries and a lack of clear implementation.

Why the silence from allies?

Political allies of the DMK, such as the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Congress, known for their focus on social justice, have remained mostly silent on these recurring deaths. For many from marginalised communities, this silence feels like an abandonment of their long-standing struggle for equality and dignity.

Who are the victims?

Nearly every person who dies in manual scavenging incidents belongs to a socially disadvantaged caste. Yet, legal convictions remain rare. Families of victims often wait months or even years for compensation, with many feeling reduced to statistics rather than recognised as victims deserving of justice.

Where does Tamil Nadu stand now?

The DMK’s 2021 manifesto promised to replace manual labour with machines, rehabilitate affected workers and ensure accountability. But four years later, the state’s drainage systems continue to claim lives.

Observers say the government’s focus has shifted from real reform to public relations, from tangible improvements to mere announcements.