Following the action of a 15-year-old Dalit girl in Chennai, women domestic servants union Penn Thozhilalargal Sangam staged a protest at K3 Anna Nagar police station on November 5 and demanded swift and stringent action against the accused.

Protesters also demanded the establishment of a compensation system for domestic workers to report abuse and demanded strict enforcement of laws preventing child labor.

On October 31, a young girl belonging to the Adi Dravidar community, classified as Scheduled Caste, was beaten to death by her employers in Chennai’s Aminjikarai. According to the police, she was also sexually assaulted. The victim was a native of Thanjavur district.

Police arrested six members of the family, including the couple identified as Mohammed Nishad and Nasiya. They were arrested and charged under Section 3(1)(r) (Intentionally insulting or intimidating with intent to humiliate) and Section 3(2)(v) (Offences punishable with imprisonment) of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. 10 years or more when committed against SC/ST person of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). Police also invoked the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.

Demanding justice for the Dalit youth, Penn Thozhilalar Sangam president Sujata Mody questioned how a minor, who ideally should have been educated, was brought to Chennai to work as a domestic help.

Echoing similar sentiments, union secretary D Sumathi added: “There should be no child labor in Tamil Nadu. “We demand that the Tamil Nadu Police take immediate action and protect every child employed in domestic work.”

Protesting workers also drew attention to the problems they face as domestic workers. They said they were treated like ‘slaves’. They claimed that employers threatened to fire them or cut their salaries even if they requested leave. Many domestic workers who participated in the protest said that they had difficulty coping with such problems.