CPI(M) criticises Thirumavalavan for comments on conservancy workers

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) founder and president Thol. Thirumavalavan has stirred a controversy over the issue of job permanency for conservancy workers, questioning whether advocating for their regularisation aligns with the ideals of social justice, or reinforces caste-based occupational roles.

Mr. Thirumavalavan, who had previously voiced support for the demands of conservancy workers, appeared to shift his stance. He recently said: “The correct stand would be to speak against job permanency. Should Dalit children be made to dispose of garbage? If we make their jobs permanent, who will take up those government jobs? How many are ready to do this job? The next generation shouldn’t be made to do this work. Ensuring that they don’t continue in these roles — that is social justice. Lakhs of people are still cleaning human faeces, scores are disposing of garbage. Should we say, ‘Let them do these jobs, make them government employees, and give them pensions?’”

His remarks drew criticism from Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] State secretary P. Shanmugam, who challenged Mr. Thirumavalavan’s position and urged him to clarify his stance. “He is wrong about this. I know a girl whose parents were conservancy workers. They used their earnings to educate her — she earned a Ph.D. and is now a college professor. If her parents did not have permanent jobs, she might have ended up as a conservancy worker herself. Job security, economic opportunity, and other benefits helped them uplift their daughter,” Mr. Shanmugam said.

‘No demand for hereditary continuation’

Mr. Shanmugam clarified that no one had demanded the hereditary continuation of conservancy work. “Nobody is saying that their children must also do this work. We are only saying that those who are doing it now should be given permanent jobs. If they are not made permanent, should they continue as temporary or contract workers? Contract work means lower wages, insecurity, and no protections. Their demands are entirely fair,” he said.

Mr. Shanmugam also pointed out that caste-based occupational roles persist due to the influence of Sanatana Dharma. “A particular community being confined to traditional jobs is because of this society’s adherence to Sanatana (Dharma).If we ask conservancy workers to stop doing this job, what alternatives are we providing? Have the Union or State governments laid out any plans? If we advise them to quit garbage disposal, do we have a safety net or better opportunities for them?” he asked.