Legal Awareness Programmes Mark 50 Years of Bonded Labour Abolition Act Across West Bengal

Kolkata, February 9, 2026: A series of legal awareness and sensitisation programmes were organised across West Bengal to commemorate 50 years of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, with a key public outreach initiative held at Howrah Railway Station in the presence of Shri Niladri Kumar Nath, Honourable Railway Magistrate, Howrah Station, and Md. Imtiaz Bharati, noted human rights activist.

The programme was conducted by Anubhuti, a coalition of non-governmental organisations, in collaboration with the Government Railway Police (GRP), West Bengal, focusing on strengthening public awareness around bonded labour, human trafficking and labour exploitation, particularly among migrant workers.

Discussions highlighted the legal framework under which bonded labour has been abolished nationwide since 1975 and is governed by the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, which places responsibility for identification, release and rehabilitation of bonded labourers with State authorities. Participants were sensitised on the roles of District and Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Vigilance Committees and enforcement mechanisms, along with existing rehabilitation support provided under the Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers (2021).

Parallel Legal Awareness Camps were organised across major districts of West Bengal under the guidance of the State Legal Services Authority (SLSA), reinforcing access to justice and coordinated action among legal institutions, law enforcement agencies and civil society. Organisers underlined the importance of railway stations as critical transit points for vulnerable workers and key spaces for early identification and prevention of bonded labour and trafficking.

The programmes took place with a renewed call for sustained inter-agency coordination to ensure effective implementation of the Act and timely rehabilitation of rescued workers, five decades after its enactment.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Niladri Kumar Nath, Honourable Railway Magistrate, Howrah Station, said, “Freedom and dignity are non-negotiable human rights. Let us build a society where no person is forced to trade their liberty for survival.”

Md. Imtiaz Bharati, a noted human rights activist, added, “Awareness is the key to justice. Only a conscious society can defeat exploitation. Bonded labour laws empower us; change is inevitable.”

Photo Caption (L-R): Syed Mollana M. Raza, Human Rights Activist,West Bengal Shia Jamat.; Dr. C.P. Verma – Medical Officer Howrah; Mr. N.K.Nath Railway Magistrate Howrah;
Advocate Prateek

R. Paramanik, Second Officer in charge GRP Howrah; Mr. Imtiaz Bharatiya, Secretary Sankalp Today ( Member of Anubhuti)