In a recent incident highlighting the persistence of bonded labor in India, a man was rescued from 17 years of exploitation, thanks to the combined efforts of a YouTuber and a BJP MP. This case underscores the critical role that social media and political intervention can play in combating this illegal practice.

The catalyst for the rescue was a viral video on social media, showing the youth tending to cattle under harsh and exploitative conditions. The video caught the attention of Anil Baluni, a BJP MP from Garhwal in Uttarakhand and BJP chief spokesperson. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Baluni reached out to Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, seeking his intervention.

Governor Kataria promptly directed Gaurav Yadav, the Director General of Police (DGP) of Punjab, to take immediate action. The Tarn Taran district police were mobilized, and within hours, they located and rescued the victim from the cowshed in Dinewal village, where he had been forced to work. A case has been registered against the cowshed owner, and efforts are underway to send the rescued youth back to his native village in Narayanbagad.

Baluni expressed his gratitude for the swift action taken by Governor Kataria and DGP Yadav, emphasizing that such compassionate leadership strengthens public trust in justice and provides hope for vulnerable individuals. This incident serves as a reminder that bonded labor, despite being illegal in India for nearly five decades, continues to be a reality for many.

The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, enacted in 1976, criminalized all forms of bonded labor. Article 23 of the Indian Constitution also prohibits beggar and forced labor, while Article 21 guarantees the right to life with dignity, which bonded labor fundamentally violates. Despite these legal safeguards, the practice persists, with vulnerable communities, particularly those from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC), disproportionately affected. Studies indicate that over 80% of bonded laborers belong to these marginalized groups.

Recent data reveals the ongoing struggle against bonded labor. Between April 2024 and January 2025, approximately 250 bonded laborers were rescued in India. However, this number stands in stark contrast to the ambitious goal of rescuing 18.4 million bonded laborers by 2030, as envisioned by the Rehabilitation Scheme (2016). There is also a persistent decrease in the number of bonded labourers rehabilitated during the last three years, which is encouraging.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles and Skill Development has acknowledged the persistence of bonded labor, calling for a multifaceted approach to address the issue. This includes providing vocational training to improve the employability of rescued laborers.

Several measures can be taken to combat bonded labor effectively: * Strengthening legal enforcement by establishing special task forces at the district level to monitor and raid bonded labor operations. * Mandating every state to adopt a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for identification, rescue, rehabilitation, and post-rescue support. * Strengthening the Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers. * Empowering vulnerable communities through guaranteed employment, skill training, access to land rights, housing, and formal credit. * Improving institutional coordination by designating a nodal department in each state for bonded labor, with clear roles for various departments such as Revenue, Labour, Police, and Tribal Welfare. * Activating District Vigilance Committees (DVCs) with civil society participation and digital tracking of complaints. * Using technology and monitoring tools to identify and track bonded labor cases.

The rescue of the Uttarakhand youth serves as an inspiring example of how collaborative efforts, leveraging social media and political will, can bring freedom to those trapped in bonded labor. However, it also highlights the urgent need for sustained and comprehensive action to eradicate this pervasive human rights violation.