Two youths of the Valmiki community died on Thursday after drowning in a sewer chamber in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. The incident took place in the city's Champa Gali area, and the victims have been identified as 20-year-old Rahul Valmiki and 18-year-old Sonu Valmiki.
According to eyewitnesses, the two youths were cleaning the sewer chamber when they fell into the water and drowned. They were rushed to a nearby hospital, but were declared brought dead.
The incident has sparked outrage in the Valmiki community, with members demanding justice for the victims. CPM Politburo member Subhashini Ali visited the family of the deceased and expressed her condolences. She also demanded a thorough investigation into the matter and strict action against the officials responsible.
The municipal corporation has suspended two officials in connection with the incident. However, the Valmiki community is not satisfied with the action taken so far and is demanding the resignation of the municipal commissioner.
This is not the first time that such an incident has occurred in Gwalior. In 2019, a 12-year-old boy from the Valmiki community drowned in a sewer chamber. The boy's family had also demanded justice, but no action was taken against the officials responsible.
The repeated incidents of Valmiki youths drowning in sewer chambers highlight the negligence of the municipal authorities. It is clear that the authorities are not taking the safety of these workers seriously. The Valmiki community is demanding that the authorities take immediate steps to ensure the safety of sewer workers. They are also demanding compensation for the families of the victims.
The incident has also brought to light the discrimination faced by the Valmiki community. The Valmiki community is one of the most marginalized communities in India. They are often forced to work in hazardous jobs, such as cleaning sewers, for low wages. The authorities often turn a blind eye to the safety of these workers.
The incident in Gwalior is a wake-up call for the authorities. They need to take steps to ensure the safety of all sewer workers, irrespective of their caste or community. They also need to address the discrimination faced by the Valmiki community.
