In a nation that prides itself on the values of equality, justice, and liberty, one of the most fundamental human rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution is the Right Against Exploitation. Protected under Articles 23 and 24, this right is a solemn guarantee that no individual in India shall be subjected to human trafficking, forced labor, or child labor in hazardous industries. Yet, decades after independence, the harsh truth persists: exploitation in India is far from over. Despite the presence of laws and policies, vulnerable sections of society continue to be trapped in invisible cages built from poverty, ignorance, and systemic failure. The law may prohibit it, but the streets, fields, factories, and homes across the country tell a different story.
The Legal Framework: Strong on Paper
The Indian Constitution made early and decisive efforts to tackle exploitation. Article 23 prohibits trafficking in human beings and all forms of forced labor, while Article 24 forbids the employment of children below the age of 14 in hazardous occupations. These principles are further backed by legislation such as the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016.
On paper, the protection seems airtight. In reality, however, enforcement remains inconsistent and insufficient. While arrests are made and raids are conducted, the cycle of exploitation continues to operate beneath the surface of India’s booming economy.
The Harsh Reality: Exploitation Still Breathes
Every day, millions of Indians—especially children, women, migrants, and Dalits—continue to face exploitation in its many forms. Children are seen working in roadside dhabas, sweatshops, and farms. Women are trafficked under the guise of marriage or employment, only to end up in exploitative domestic or sexual labor. Men in rural areas are lured into bonded labor systems that are almost impossible to escape.
The tragedy lies in the normalcy of these violations. Exploitation doesn’t always announce itself with violence or visible chains. Often, it manifests quietly—through underpayment, overwork, debt traps, threats, and helplessness.
Understanding the Root Causes
The persistence of exploitation in India is not merely a failure of law—it is a reflection of deeper, structural issues. Poverty remains one of the foremost reasons. When a family cannot afford food, education becomes a luxury and child labor a necessity. Lack of education and awareness also means many victims don’t even know their rights or where to seek help.
Law enforcement, though empowered by statutes, is often under-equipped, poorly trained, or apathetic when dealing with labor and trafficking cases. Corruption and lack of coordination among departments further weaken the justice system. Additionally, the informal economy, which employs over 90% of India’s workforce, thrives in a regulatory grey area where labor laws are rarely enforced.
Human Stories That Demand Attention
Kavita, a 12-year-old from Bihar, was promised a domestic job in Delhi. She ended up working 16 hours a day, beaten regularly, and paid nothing. Ramu, a boy found in a glass bangle factory in Firozabad, suffered burns on his hands from handling molten materials. These aren’t isolated incidents; they are part of a pattern too often ignored by society and the system alike.
Government Efforts: A Step, Not a Leap
The Indian government has undertaken various initiatives to combat exploitation. The National Child Labour Project (NCLP) works to rehabilitate child workers through special schools and vocational training. Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) and digital tools like the TrackChild Portal aim to trace and rescue victims. Campaigns like Operation Smile have led to the recovery of many missing children.
However, these programs often face budget constraints, lack of manpower, and implementation challenges. Rescue operations happen, but the follow-up—rehabilitation, counseling, education, and reintegration—is frequently neglected, leaving victims vulnerable to re-exploitation.
The Role of Society: Beyond the Government
Ending exploitation isn’t just a matter of policy—it requires a societal shift in awareness, empathy, and action. Civil society organizations, including NGOs like Bachpan Bachao Andolan, Prajwala, and Goonj, have played a vital role in bridging the gap left by the state. Their work in rescue, rehabilitation, and advocacy has shown that committed individuals can bring about change.
Moreover, community vigilance has proven effective in many areas. Locals trained to spot signs of trafficking or illegal child labor can alert authorities much faster. The private sector also holds responsibility. Ethical supply chains, corporate transparency, and adherence to fair labor standards must become non-negotiable.
What More Can Be Done?
If India truly wants to uphold the right against exploitation, it must strengthen education and provide economic alternatives to at-risk families. Empowering every child with the opportunity to study is the first line of defense. Law enforcement must be reformed, not just through stricter laws but through sensitization and accountability.
Rehabilitation, not just rescue, must become the cornerstone of our anti-exploitation efforts. Victims need legal identity, mental health support, skill development, and safe spaces. Technology—such as AI-based tracking tools—should be employed more aggressively to predict and prevent trafficking.
And perhaps most importantly, India’s youth must be engaged in this fight. Through student activism, community service, and awareness campaigns, a new generation can challenge the systemic apathy that allows exploitation to flourish.
Conclusion
The Right Against Exploitation is not just a legal safeguard—it is a test of India’s moral spine. As long as children are sold into servitude, as long as bonded laborers toil in silence, and as long as trafficking victims are hidden in plain sight, the promise of our Constitution remains unfulfilled.
We must stop asking if we are “doing enough” and instead ask—are we doing everything we can? Because until every worker is free, every child is safe, and every voice is heard, our journey toward justice and equality remains painfully incomplete.
contributed by- Tulip Raghav (intern)