In the present day, we find that most of the feudal systems are surviving at the heart of the modern cities. Hand pulled rickshaw of Kolkata is one of such feudal-colonial system still exists within a cosmopolitan city. Kolkata is the last major city in the world where hand-pulled rickshaw is used as an everyday transport to carry passengers. It is a popular and cheap non-polluting mode of transport, considered as one of the symbols of culture and heritage of the city. Hand rickshaw pulling is a centuries-old profession. Hand-pulled rickshaw is locally known as 'Tana ricksha' or 'Haat ricksha' and the rickshaw pullers are commonly known as ‘Rickshawalla’. Hand pulled rickshaws and rickshaw pullers both have been used in different films, literature, novels to represent Kolkata. But unfortunately, it is illegal as it was banned in 2006, though the rickshaws are still operational in the lanes of Kolkata unknowing their destiny.
The history of this cart is full of controversy and struggles. Hand pulled rickshaw was first introduced in India at Shimla by 1880s. In Kolkata (then Calcutta) it was introduced by the Chinese traders sometimes around the 1890s via the port city of Shanghai, China to carry goods in and around dockyards of Khidirpur. In 1914 they applied for the permission to use rickshaws for transportation of passengers. By implementation of Calcutta Hackney Carriage Act (1919), British rulers made hand-pulled rickshaw as the cheap mode of transport. Soon after, hand-pulled rickshaw became popular among those people who could not afford cars or cabs. At that time Kolkata was the biggest city of the subcontinent and used to provide the maximum job opportunity to the neighbouring states. The informal sector of Kolkata grew further with this new job opportunity. A large number of Bihari migrants took rickshaw pulling as their job replacing the Chinese because it was easier than any other work. These Bihari people were mainly from the flood-prone areas of Northern Bihar or drought-prone areas of Southern Bihar. From the beginning, the traffic authority of the city was not in favour of this cart, considering one of the reasons for traffic congestion. From the British period, the rickshaw pullers used to face harassment from the police department and they were easy targets for bribery.
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Hand-pulled rickshaws at Kolkata, 1926
source: www.oldindianphotos.com
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After 1950, no single licence was issued to the pullers but licences of the owners were issued at various times. Thus, the rickshaw pullers licences were decreasing day by day due to the adamant attitude of the registering authority. Even the pullers licences were not renewed on time resulting cancellation of licences. By such process, the strength of fresh or renewed licences of the rickshaw pullers came down to only 1750 from 24000 by 1990. So, the majority of the rickshaw pullers used to pull rickshaws without a proper licence after 1950. Several major streets have been closed to rickshaw traffic since 1972, and in 1982 the city authority seized over 12000 rickshaws and destroyed them. After the 1980s, several human right organizations including the National Human Right Commission started to advocate in favour of removal of hand rickshaws from Kolkata mentioning it ‘Inhuman Practice’. In 1992, it was estimated that over 30,000 rickshaws were operating in the city, all about 6000 of them legal. In 1996 during the ‘Operation Sunshine’ police department also seized a considerable amount of rickshaws in the city. 2006 is the most remarkable; ‘Calcutta Hackney Carriage (Amendment) Bill, 2006’ was passed in West Bengal State Assembly by left front Government under the leadership of Buddhadeb Bhattacharya which described the centuries-old profession as ‘Inhumane Practice’ and banned this without providing any alternatives. But since then the hand-pulled rickshaws have been operating in Kolkata as usual though it is illegal.
In 25th July 2009, with the prediction of regime change, the All Bengal Rickshaw Union (ABRU), the representative body of both rickshaw pullers and owners, invited politicians from Trinamul Congress and social activists to form a dedicated forum to ensure the right of work for the hand rickshaw pullers. Late Sultan Ahamed (former M.P) was the chief guest as the president of the union. In this conference, a new forum was formed as the ‘Haat Rickshaw Rozgar Bachao Manch’ (HRRBM). The rickshaw pullers were assured that after the formation of new Government lead by Trinamul Congress, their demands would be sympathetically considered. But the situation was unchanged till after formation of the new Government in 2011. Neither the amendment of 2006 was withdrawn nor a single licence issued or renewed to the rickshaw pullers. On 15th December 2014, the leader of the ABRU Mr Moktar met with the Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee to demand the rehabilitation package both for the owners and the rickshaw pullers. Addressing a press conference, Moktar Ali said that state Government ensured to provide 6000 battery powered three wheelers against the same amount of licenced rickshaws. Since then no significant progress has been noticed in this regard.
But there is a major doubt on the total number of hand-pulled rickshaws and rickshaw pullers in Kolkata. Several organizations and NGOs have tried to figure out the actual numbers of this man-powered vehicle. In 1992, it was estimated that over 30,000 rickshaws were operating in the city. A study entitled 'Hand-rickshaw pullers of Kolkata' by The Calcutta Samaritans and Action-Aid highlights that there were more than 18,000 rickshaws playing in the streets of Kolkata, nearly 6,000 of which are registered with the city government in 2009. In 2010, the All Bengal Rickshaw Union (ABRU) stated that there were 5937 licenced rickshaws, 14,000 unlicenced rickshaws, 35,000 rickshaw pullers in the city and near about one lakh people are directly or indirectly depending on this occupation. On December 19, 2012, the Mayor of the city, informed the councillors that as per Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) records there are 8780 licenced hand-pulled rickshaws in the city. So, there is a lot of confusion about the total number of hand rickshaws in Kolkata. There is a serial number on the backside of the rickshaws, written by the numerical figure as per their registration. However, different rickshaws with same registration numbers can be noticed in different parts of the city. Actually, the same registered number is being used for other unlicenced rickshaws as the dummy. Hence it is very difficult to determine the total number of hand rickshaws and rickshaw pullers. But in 2016, as per the information was received from of All Bengal Rickshaw Union (ABRU) and Sardars of different hand rickshaw strands, there are 5937 licenced and 8000 unlicenced rickshaws in Kolkata with near about 18,000 rickshaw pullers (whole timers).
After passing the 2006 amendment, the hand-pulled rickshaws have become illegal in Kolkata. But this primitive high wooden wheeled cart is very much visible in the lanes and streets of Kolkata. Now, there is a socio-political crisis regarding the hand rickshaws and the livelihood of the rickshaw pullers. So, there is a socio-political crisis regarding the hand rickshaws and livelihood of the rickshaw pullers. This issue is becoming critical and seems to be unresolved due to lack of interest of the city authorities. There was provision to taken penal action against rickshaw pullers under the section of 32, 35 and 36 in Calcutta Hackney Carriage Act, 1919. But after the new Amendment, there is no discrimination of licenced and unlicenced hand rickshaws, both are illegal now and authority cannot take fine under the said sections as the old act does not exist. It’s mean, there is no evidence of hand rickshaws in the paper, but still, these are being operated. So, the present status of hand-pulled rickshaws is not defined and settled. In this volatile situation, rickshaw owners manage their business with bribery. Several rickshaw owners informed that they give monthly fixed bribe to the police stations where their rickshaws are being pulled and same is given to the hackney carriage officials who are in charge of those areas. In spite of this, the Hackney Carriage Department and police personals are collecting fines from the poor rickshaw pullers on the regular basis without proper receipts. They are often physically assaulted if unable to pay the fine. Moreover, in a few pockets of city core (Park Circus to New Market via Gorachand Road-Eliot Road- Collin Street- Mirza Galib Street), where cycle rickshaws are prohibited but operating illegally. So, the hand rickshaw pullers are facing strong challenges. The police persons remain silent about illegal cycle rickshaws as these rickshaw pullers are local Bengali minorities. So, the livelihoods of the rickshaw pullers are threatened from every sphere in the ‘City of Joy’.
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| Blank sheet of paper signed and stamped by the local police station without mentioning the fine amount |
Majority of the rickshaw pullers of the city are from Bihar and Jharkhand with the agricultural background as they were either agricultural labourers or marginal farmers. The wages of an agricultural labour is less than any informal worker of the city. So, they had come to Kolkata and engaged in this occupation as it is totally based on physical effort does not require any formal education, proper skill and knowledge of transport rules. The rickshaw pullers from Bihar and Jharkhand are mostly temporary migrants and the Bengali pullers are short-term migrants, mainly from South 24 Parganas district. However, a considerable number of the rickshaw pullers are permanent migrants, being uprooted from their native places and society. Most of the rickshaw pullers have no proper shelter in the city, staying in the pavements and living the life of a beggar. A few of them have shelters or ’Dera’, but far away from any decent standard of living. The average daily income of the rickshaw pullers is approx Rs. 200 which is not sufficient. Every day they are facing hard realities, extraordinary physical and mental stress. They have lost their identity after the ban of 2006 and become only an issue which seems to be unresolved. In spite of their long service, sacrifice and effort; they are far away from any social recognition. Every day they are facing ignorance and harassment from the civic administration. The poor men have taken this occupation as a last option to survive and now it is banned and very soon would be withdrawn from the city.
There are approximately 18000 rickshaw pullers and they have on an average 5 family members (as per my primary survey). Approximately 90,000 people are directly or indirectly dependent on this occupation. No doubt the rickshaw pullers and their families would be in trouble if this occupation would be withdrawn from the city. A considerable number of the rickshaw puller is too aged to start a new occupation. Majority of the rickshaw pullers consider their present occupation is stressful but simple and viable to maintain family life. Till now no secure alternative jobs have been offered to them, but the pullers are facing regular harassment from the police. The 2006 Amendment is a direct hit to the Indian constitution act 19 (1) of 1949. This act provides right to all citizens of India to practice any profession (ethical), or to carry on any occupation, trade or business. Mentioning ‘Inhumane Practice’ the livelihood of the poor rickshaw pullers was banned and their identity lost. But banning livelihood of the poor people is also one kind of inhumane approach. Without arrangement of alternative job opportunities, there is no justification to ban a centuries-old profession. If hand rickshaw pulling is considered as ‘Inhumane Practice’, then there are abundant examples of such profession all over a country. Still, there are human scavengers in our society, cleaning our waste manually and carrying over their heads! Some persons still are polishing our shoes regularly. Porters are carrying huge head-loads, housemaids washing our food remnants and used clothes, sweepers cleaning streets and handling garbage manually. If the hand-pulled rickshaw is inhumane then paddled rickshaw can be mentioned the same as it is also quite stressful and operated manually.
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| An aged rickshaw puller with his cart |
Hand rickshaws are not the cause of traffic congestion of Kolkata. It is blamed unnecessarily like trams of the city. The speed of this cheap non-polluting cart is well adjusted with walking speed of the people in lanes and streets, which are unmatched with cycle rickshaws or electric rickshaws (battery powered). The cart has high wooden wheels which provide excellent ground clearance and turning radius of the wheel is just unparalleled to any other vehicles. Hand rickshaw can move 360° around its centre of gravity (the portion of the wheels, touches the surface) like pencil compass which helps it to avoid crowds and traffics. Where tri-wheeled cycle or electric rickshaws have a poor turning radius which is not suitable for rush hours in the streets of Kolkata. In last five years, the electric rickshaws, popularly known as ‘Toto’ have been launched in different district towns and cities of West Bengal, creating great traffic blockages. If these carts would be allowed in Kolkata, Kolkata will be the next Dhaka and face critical traffic congestions.
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| Lifeline in narrow lanes |
This profession is not only beneficial for the rickshaw pullers, the city dwellers and passengers are also being benefited. There is a harmonic relationship between the rickshaw pullers and local people and both of them are dependent on each other. Hand pulled rickshaw is considered as ‘24 hours ambulance service’ in those lanes and by-lanes where taxi or cab cannot enter. The inhabitants of older parts of the city are largely dependent on hand-pulled rickshaws as a cheap mode of transport and they can avail it from their doorsteps within a narrow lane. Till now these rickshaws are used for the short distances as the rickshaw pullers are well aware of the shortcut routes to avoid the traffic congestion. Middle-class families contract with pullers to take their child to school and pick him /her up at a given time. Thus the pullers become essentially a family retainer. Hand-pulled rickshaw is especially in demand during monsoon season when flooded streets make it impossible for commuters to use taxis or cars. In any medical emergencies, the inhabitants of narrow lanes and by-lanes prefer to call the rickshaw pullers to keep out the patient to the broad streets to avail ambulance. Even, this cart is essential to carry household loads for these inhabitants. In spite of ignorance and suffering, the majority of the rickshaw pullers accepted this occupation considering poor job opportunities in their native places. Most of the families of the rickshaw pullers are largely dependent on this occupation and they have no alternatives. So, imposing the ban on hand-pulled rickshaws and the livelihood of the poor rickshaw pullers will not solve the problem of traffic congestion and improve the image of the city rather it will create lots of other crises. The older parts of the Kolkata city have great historic value. The Gothic and Anglo Saxon style structures, monuments, libraries, opera houses, roadside buildings are still bearing the colonial charm. The trams and hand-pulled rickshaws both were introduced by the British and they have historical importance. So, instead of banning, hand-pulled rickshaws must be declared as heritage and be preserved for the promotion of heritage tourism.
