Subject: Petition Seeking NHRC's Urgent Intervention to Protect the Right to Breastfeed and Ensure Maternal and Child Health among Musahar Women Working in Brick Kilns of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
To: NHRC - Chairperson <chairnhrc@nic.in>
Cc: NHRC - Sec General <sgnhrc@nic.in>, NHRC-Registrar (Law)-Sh. A.K. Garg <registrar-nhrc@nic.in>, NHRC <ionhrc@nic.in>, cr.nhrc <cr.nhrc@nic.in>, NHRC-Director General (Investigation) - Smt. Kanwaljit Deol, IPS <dg-nhrc@nic.in>
To
The Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission of India
Manav Adhikar Bhawan, Block-C, GPO Complex
INA, New Delhi – 110023
Subject: Petition Seeking NHRC's Urgent Intervention to Protect the Right to Breastfeed and Ensure Maternal and Child Health among Musahar Women Working in Brick Kilns of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Respected Sir,
I, Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, Founder of People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) and affiliated with JanMitra Nyas, humbly submit this petition to draw your kind attention to a grave human rights concern: the systemic violation of the right to breastfeed and access maternal-child healthcare among Musahar women working in brick kilns in rural Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Context and Concern:
Musahar women in the brick kiln sector face inhumane conditions, where choosing to breastfeed their child can mean risking their job. A recent investigative article highlights how these women are reclaiming their right to nurture despite facing threats and marginalisation:
๐ How Musahar women in Varanasi brick kilns are reclaiming the right to breastfeed
Key findings:
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Over 335 families from the Musahar community work in kilns across Harahua, Badagaon, Pindara, and Arajiline blocks.
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Among them are 103 pregnant women and 300+ children under five, many without access to Anganwadi services, PHCs, or immunisation.
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Working conditions deprive mothers of time, rest, and dignity—many are forced to return to labour hours after childbirth.
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In 2022, only 9 children received colostrum. By 2024, this number increased to 38, with exclusive breastfeeding rising from 15 to 56, thanks to community intervention.
Best Practice Model: JanMitra Nyas and CRY
Under the grassroots leadership of Shruti Nagvanshi, JanMitra Nyas in partnership with CRY – Child Rights and You, implemented a replicable, rights-based model focused on inclusion and access for the most marginalised.
Key elements include:
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Community Mobilisation & Behaviour Change Communication (BCC):
Mothers were counselled on nutrition, breastfeeding, and health rights. -
Service Linkages During Migration:
Migrant families were connected to local VHNDs and PHCs at kiln sites. -
Collaboration with Brick Kiln Owners:
Agreements were secured for rest time and breastfeeding spaces for pregnant and lactating women. -
Nutrition Access via Anganwadi Centres:
Take-Home Ration (THR) was facilitated during migration. -
Capacity Building of Health Workers:
Regular engagement with ANMs and AWWs led to improved service delivery. -
Tangible Outcomes (2022–2024):
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Institutional deliveries increased from 54% to 65%
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Colostrum feeding quadrupled
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Child immunisation tripled
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Infant mortality fell by 50%
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No child deaths were reported in 2024
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This rights-based model, rooted in grassroots participation, systemic engagement, and dignity-first approach, is a best practice that the NHRC could help document and promote across India's unorganised brick kiln sector.
Prayer:
We respectfully urge the NHRC to:
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Conduct a suo-motu investigation and field visit to affected areas in Varanasi.
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Issue directives to state authorities to:
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Protect breastfeeding rights and provide rest provisions for women at kiln sites.
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Ensure mobile health units and immunisation drives for migrant women and children.
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Mandate minimum labour standards for pregnant/lactating women under the Maternity Benefit Act.
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Recognise and replicate best practices from the CRY–JanMitra Nyas model, led by Shruti Nagvanshi, through:
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A national-level advisory for brick kiln worker protections
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Inter-agency coordination between labour, health, and women & child departments
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Direct the National Commission for Women and NCPCR to monitor and address such rights violations.
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Recommend compensation and redress to families who lost children due to systemic neglect.
Conclusion:
Mothers like Kajal, who declared "Brick-making can wait, but my baby cannot," remind us that the right to breastfeed is a fundamental human right. These Musahar women are not asking for charity — they are demanding dignity, protection, and justice.
We urge the NHRC to stand with them in this struggle.
Sincerely,
Lenin Raghuvanshi
Founder-Convener, PVCHR
Phone: +91 9935599333
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