MUMBAI: Actor-activist Aamir Khan Today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and union minister Mukul Wasnik and raised the issue of the plight of manual scavengers in the country. Aamir called on the prime minister at his official residence at 7, Race Course Road, and sought that the practice be done away with.

“I had gone to meet the PM to discuss the issue of manual scavenging. I requested him that this practice which still exists in our country should end soon. The PM has assured me that he will look into this matter and he sent me to Mukulji who handles Welfare Ministry,” Mr Khan told reporters after the meeting that lasted for nearly 30 minutes.

Later, in a joint press conference with Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Wasnik, Aamir said that both Singh and Wasnik were aware of the issue and would step up efforts to address it as soon as possible. He met Wasnik at his office in Shastri Bhawan.

“We are happy that Aamir has brought this topic into the limelight. We believe that every person should have the right to live a life of dignity. The fact that even today, a section of our society works as manual scavengers, it is unfortunate for not only the society but for entire nation. Government of India is working towards resolving this issue and PM has also turned his attention towards it,” Wasnik said.

In a recent episode of his TV show “Satyamev Jayate”, the 47-year-old actor had focused on the life of over three lakh manual scavengers who do the work of cleaning excreta even today and are considered as untouchables by many in the society.

“Mukulji assured me that he will work towards putting an end to this problem. The ministry is already working on the issue and he says that they will put an end to this soon,” Mr Khan concluded.