‘Didn’t have hospital fee, my baby died in front of me’: UP ‘bonded labourer’ alleges neglect at Rajasthan brick kiln

KASGANJ: Quietly sitting on the steps of Sahawar tehsil in UP's Kasganj district, Raj Jatav, 27, and his family patiently wait for their turn to record their statements before local officials. They have not eaten for hours, but hunger seems to be insignificant compared to the grief weighing on them. Raj's 2-month-old daughter has just died of pneumonia.On Friday, while speaking with TOI, Raj said he had worked as a "bonded labourer" at brick kilns in Rajasthan since 2025. And he now regrets his decision to migrate out from his home state."My contractor first took me to Jalore (Rajasthan) around Navratri in 2025 after giving an advance of Rs 30,000. I have been working with the same contractor along with my parents. We worked there for five months and later for around 45 days at another brick kiln in Udaipur," he said.On Jan 6, his third child, Ananya, was born. But his joy remained shortlived. From Feb 18, Ananya's health steadily deteriorated. The next day, she died. "I had 24 hours to save her. My owner at the brick kiln gave me Rs 2,000 and turned me away. The amount was spent transporting my child from one place to another... I didn't have the hospital fee and my daughter died in front of my eyes," he said.Kasganj DSP, Shahida Nasrin, said the matter is under investigation. "I've spoken to them and visited their home. Their statements are being recorded. We have also received some claims from the brick kiln owner, who says he paid for the child's treatment. I have sought details of the transaction. The probe is on and necessary action will be taken based on the findings," she added.There was no one to help him, Raj added. "I had to sell all our utensils and other items, including my wife's belongings, to arrange money for our return to Kasganj. My two-bigha land in Kasganj is also under mortgage."Echoing her husband, Seema said, "She did not die of pneumonia but of negligence and apathy of brick kiln owners and the contractor. We are poor people. Nobody cares about us. It is as if we don't exist."There are around 50 villagers like Raj from Kasganj who went to work at the brick kiln.According to the ministry of labour and employment, over 80% of those rescued from bonded labour belong to SC/ST communities. Similarly, the National Crime Records Bureau's ‘Crime in India' report for 2022 states that 86% of bonded labour victims belong to SC/ST communities. Raj belongs to this background.