From Drains and Gutters: Picturing Caste and Childhood amid Manual Scavenging

The term “manual scavenging,” prevalent in India and deeply entrenched within the caste system, signifies a dehumanizing practice involving the manual handling and transportation of human excreta without protective equipment. With the burgeoning global trend of integrating social justice themes into children’s literature, discussions on caste, particularly regarding manual scavenging, have become indispensable. This article analyzes two Indian picturebooks: Puu (2018) by C.G. Salamander and Samidha Gunjal, and My Name is Gulab (2021) by Sagar Kolwankar. These texts distinctively engage with the sensitive topic of manual scavenging, with Salamander notably pioneering the introduction of such radical themes to young readers through the picturebook medium. The authors and illustrators delve beyond the linear representation of manual scavenging, exploring its multidimensional socio-political facets, including caste, stigma, and untouchability. Expounding upon Rudine Sims Bishop’s theoretical framework on “multiculturalism,” this article explores how these character portrayals provide a “mirror” for certain readers who can identify with the depicted scenarios and a “window” for some readers to comprehend the estranged concept of manual scavenging. Through the model of purity/pollution, the article examines the delicate balance between words and images, highlighting how the authors and illustrators manage the subject’s radical potential without obscuring its subtleties for a young audience. Thus, this study analyzes the relevance of including manual scavenging in picturebooks to facilitate dialogue, foster empathy, and contribute to societal change.