36 Sanitation Workers Die in India in Three Months; Activists Demand Action

At least 36 sanitation workers died cleaning sewers and septic tanks across India between March and May 2026, according to DASAM. Most victims belonged to marginalized castes and lacked safety equipment. Activists highlighted systemic failures, weak law enforcement, and exploitative labor practices. They demanded mechanization, compensation, and recognition of these workers as frontline laborers.