The Supreme Court of India has directed the states to take steps to prevent manual scavenging. The court was hearing a petition filed by a group of citizens, who had challenged the inaction of the government in preventing manual scavenging. The petitioners argued that the government had failed to take adequate steps to prevent manual scavenging and that the existing laws were not sufficient to deal with the issue. The court observed that manual scavenging is a serious violation of human rights and that it is the duty of the state to protect the rights of citizens. The court directed the states to take steps to prevent manual scavenging, including the provision of alternative livelihoods to manual scavengers and the creation of a compensation scheme for victims. The court also directed the Centre to take steps to amend the laws to provide for more stringent punishment for those involved in manual scavenging. The judgment is significant as it marks a major development in the journey towards preventing manual scavenging. The court's decision is expected to have far-reaching implications for the protection of human rights in India and to ensure that the state is held accountable for preventing manual scavenging. The judgment also underscores the importance of taking proactive steps to prevent manual scavenging and to promote a culture of respect for human rights. Overall, the judgment is a significant development in the context of human rights in India and is expected to have a major impact on the protection of human rights in the country.