Akshay Kumar Trolled for “Glorifying” Manual Scavenging on Twitter

Twitterati were not happy when Akshay Kumar saluted manual scavengers for “serving the country in their own way”.

Bollywood star Akshay Kumar became the subject of online trolling after he posted a tweet on manual scavenging on Thursday morning. In the tweet, Akshay referred to manual scavengers as the ‘Cleaning Soldiers of India’. It was later deleted from his handle.

A job well done which we usually forget to acknowledge... serving the country in their own way, my salute to these ‘Cleaning Soldiers Of India’.

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar)

An Illegal Practice

Twitter users were quick to point out that manual scavenging is an illegal practice in India, not to mention a deplorable one.

I thought manual scavenging was illegal in India. This is surely something to be fixed, not celebrated? https://t.co/fU33oGA0eV

— Aliya Nazki (@AliyaNazki) October 5, 2017

Hey @Twitter @TwitterIndia
Please take this disgusting tweet glorifying manual scavenging off Twitter. This is ridiculous. https://t.co/xXbmg3vu8e

— Junaid (@juneymb) October 5, 2017

Don't you think it's time to put an end to manual scavenging. It's deplorable to let this happen in a society

— MorataKaalai (@MokkaCheenu) October 5, 2017

Also Read: Manual Scavenging: A Banned Yet Rampant Indian Practice

A Practice Based on Caste

Caste-discrimination and manual scavenging go hand-in-hand, as certain castes are relegated to the job and are not given a way out.

What's wrong with u.That's manual scavenging.No protective gear.Dangerous.ppl die on job.caste based.its banned.Educate urself then tweet

— Saileena (@saileenas) October 5, 2017

What a fucking asshole! A casteist illegal exploitation of people is now being glorified in the name of nationalism. https://t.co/eLREQYRshm

— Baba Manhattani (@BabaGlocal) October 5, 2017

Glorifying manual scavenging? Really? If they are doing such a divine job, Mr @akshaykumar, do you have the courage to join them? #CasteIsInBlood of these people.

— J_Roy (@JRoys_) October 5, 2017

Also Read: Manual Scavenging & Dalit Rights: Why We Must Know Who’s Rishi Pal

All Lives Matter!

Questioning Akshay’s unawareness, Twitter users also highlighted the inhuman aspect of manual scavenging as well as the problem in referring to the workers as ‘soldiers’.

Glorifying their misery doesn't help them. This dehumanising practice must stop. https://t.co/QXAD63jiFM

— Pushkal Kumar (@IndianLibDem) October 5, 2017

Actually we shud be ashamed of witnessing this n doing nothing about it. Human beings cleaning shit n filth of us all.

— kashif Qureshi (@kashiflion) October 5, 2017

Soldiers? Really ? Soldiers have a guaranteed monthly salary, they get medical benefits, pension, housing etc.. what do sewer cleaners get?

— Brikesh (@Brikesh) October 5, 2017

This is all good n all but saluting doesn't change anything for them...they need higher better wages.

— Nitin Prajapati (@Ni3_Prajapati) October 5, 2017

It sad to see them going into gutter line without any PPE. These gutter lines have dangerous gases which can kill them.

— Atithya🌐 (@atithya_64) October 5, 2017

Seriousely their working conditions are in human. After so much technological advancement at least manual scavenging should be banned!

— Chetan (@chetanvaze) October 5, 2017

Is This Patriotism?

People did not shy away from criticising Akshay’s ‘patriotism’. Some even went as far as to point out his Canadian citizenship.

Wearing a soldier uniform doesn't make you one, parroting jingoism doesn't make you a nationalist, try being a decent citizen. That's enough

— Priyanka (@autumnrainwish) October 5, 2017

The video shows manual scavenging. That's one of the worst things India has. So much for nationalist fervour.

— mostlyharmlessgirl (@JhinukSen) October 5, 2017

Why to salute manual scavenging ??? Just condemn this worst form of work. Put pressure and ask govt to end it.

— AASH (@Kosher_Souls) October 5, 2017

Right. These celebrities are patriots on Twitter or SM only. They just get happy by looking at the retweet count

— Luv Datta ™ (@luv_datta) October 5, 2017

Manual scavenging is illegal & a national shame. But as a Canadian citizen, Akshay can be forgiven for not knowing. https://t.co/3gidA6E7qz

— Zubin Madon (@ZMadon) October 5, 2017

he is not an indian citizen. canadian ;)

— ChaCha (@TheLegendChap) October 5, 2017

He isn't even a citizen of India. He's Canadian.

— Zinda Kaartoos (@kaarT00S) October 5, 2017

Then Came the Damage Control

Akshay was quick to respond to the trolls and attempted to do some damage control.

I agree that municipal corporations should ensure that sanitation workers always have and use protective clothing and appropriate equipment https://t.co/hfDGjNO1sJ

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) October 5, 2017

Completely with you on this, use machines and not men https://t.co/hdZJAEyTls

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) October 5, 2017

I'm sure there is...it's a slightly dated article but so much to learn from Sweden https://t.co/PREXNRoWvs https://t.co/KxABydin20

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) October 5, 2017

Do you think Akshay’s glorification of manual scavenging is justified? Should celebrities be more aware of the law before they make such comments? Tell us what you think in the comments.

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