Summary:
""Human Rights and Law: Bonded Labour in India" deals with the problem of debt bondage and the way it has been treated during the British as well as in the post-independence period. Analysis has been made of the motivations for carrying out the reform; the processes involved in formulating the legislation, contributions by different agencies, discussion in the parliament, etc. The two legislations: the Indian Slavery Act, 1843 and bonded labour system (Abolition) Act, 1976 provide a comparative perspective in the making of social legislation in two different historical settings and different political systems.
The statute on debt and its enforcement has been carried out by four distinct political authorities. India under the Company, India under the Crown; Provincial Governments (1937-1939); and Independent India . The problems in the enforcement of the statues have been analyzed drawing evidence from modern Indian history, state-society relationship, motivations of the officials and the political context of administration."