JEEVIKA

Anti-Slavery International I was commissioned by Anti-Slavery International to document bonded labour in Karnataka, a state in southwest India. My work was facilitated by JEEVIKA (Jeeta Vimukti Karnataka), a grassroots organization whose name translates to Bondage-Free Life. JEEVIKA has been at the forefront of the fight against bonded labour in Karnataka and beyond, led by Dr. Kiran Kamal Prasad, a dedicated advocate for the Dalit community. Over the course of two and a half months, I travelled across Karnataka, covering stories of bonded labour, child labour in the silk industry, and the systemic discrimination faced by Dalits and other marginalized groups, including the Siddis. With the guidance of Dr. Prasad, as well as local social workers and community leaders, I witnessed and documented their tireless efforts to support and represent these vulnerable communities. This body of work aims to shed light on the realities of modern slavery and the ongoing struggle for justice and dignity among India's most marginalized people.