Bonded labour in India

The dynamics of social transformation, Gandhian approach has identi fied, consists of the key word 'Antyodaya'. Antyodaya symbolises not merely a target group but the process of liberation. It is where the means merge with ends and ends become identified with means. Social transformation thus becomes a process of self-liberation, not a model of growth, nor an exercise in inputs and outputs. Liberation underlines social justice and individual dignity which mere development does not.

In the course of our work in the field of liberation many instances had come to be noticed indicating the existence of widespread practice of bonded labour. Experience also revealed that the conditions of 'bond' varied from place to place and there was a general unwillingness to publicise its existence or even to quantify the number. Even the Government Committees entrusted with the task of establishing a more just social order were not willing to admit the spread of this injustice nor take adequate measures to expose and remedy the situation.

Under these circumstances, it was a welcome relief to learn of special programmes and financial allocations for freeing bonded labour. It was, therefore, considered necessary to get an estimate of the extent of this social aberration and the density of its existence and to understand the dimensions of the problem. If the problem was big enough it needed to be publicly explain ed so that any programme of liberation could be supported by strong public opinion. It was, therefore, necessary to make a survey of the incidence of bonded labour and to undertake studies to locate how and where our social system opened itself up for this gangrene to set in. A beginning was made in this national survey. Dr. Sarma Marla, a sociologist, agreed to take up this project; the National Labour Institute agreed to collaborate; and the "Bread For World" agreed to finance the study. We in the Gandhi Peace Foundation brought all these together and the study was initiated.