Cuttack: In a deeply reflective keynote address at the State-Level Conference on Combating Human Trafficking and Bonded Labour in Odisha, held at the Odisha Judicial Academy on Saturday, Chief Justice Harish Tandon of the High Court of Orissa called on the State Government to take urgent and concrete measures against bonded labour and human trafficking, describing them as “a centuries-old social evil that continues to mutate with modernity.”
The event was hosted by the Odisha Judicial Academy, in collaboration with the International Justice Mission (IJM).
Addressing an audience of judges, government officials, law enforcement officers, and civil society representatives, Justice Tandon emphasized that the persistence of bonded labour and trafficking is not only a legal problem but also a moral crisis requiring decisive government intervention.
Tracing the issue to ancient times and highlighting its continued presence in modern society, he remarked, “The concept of human trafficking and bonded labour is not new. We have traced its existence since the Vedic era, and yet, as a civilized society growing rapidly, we are still grappling with this menace.”
Justice Tandon urged the government to take data-driven and community-based action to identify and support vulnerable households. He called upon the State to undertake systematic audits to identify families trapped in bonded labour or migrating under false promises, stressing that local employment opportunities must be created to curb distress migration.
“It is the duty of the government to conduct audits and formulate policies to ensure that vulnerable families remain within the state and have sustainable sources of income,” he said.
Citing alarming migration data, Justice Tandon noted that Odisha accounts for a significant share of internal migration in India, urging introspection and proactive policy action. He stressed that providing sufficient employment within the state could substantially reduce migration-related exploitation.
He also called for extensive awareness programmes in remote areas, which often act as migration hubs leading to bonded labour and trafficking. “If people are made aware,” he said, “meaningful change can occur, even where systems already exist but have not yet yielded the desired results.”
Reflecting on the historical continuity of exploitation, Justice Tandon cautioned against modern practices that could indirectly trap individuals in bonded conditions, stressing the need for a proactive state response. He observed that legal frameworks alone cannot end the problem. “If we connect the dots, it has been several thousand years, and yet we are still gathering here to discuss and combat human trafficking and bonded labour. This shows how deep-rooted the problem remains,” he noted.
Concluding his address, the Chief Justice urged collective moral and institutional commitment to end the practice. “This auditorium stands as a witness to the collective wisdom of the erudite scholars present today. Let us undertake concerted efforts to eradicate human trafficking and the bonded labour system from our society. We must stand as sentinels to combat and resist these evils. I hope this seminar will give us much food for thought and inspire us to create an inclusive society, a society free from human trafficking and bonded labour.”
The event also witnessed extensive deliberations on strategies to combat human trafficking and bonded labour, focusing on enforcement of law, the role of state and civil society stakeholders, and the need for convergence to protect vulnerable communities. The conference featured a mix of keynote addresses, technical sessions, and survivor perspectives. Notable sessions included discussions on the patterns and trends of labour trafficking, legal frameworks, challenges in enforcement, deterrence strategies, and the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Participants included judges, law enforcement officers, government officials, child welfare representatives, and experts from organizations such as the International Justice Mission and Aide et Action.
The programme schedule highlighted structured working or technical sessions covering law enforcement challenges, labour trafficking trends, survivor voices, and best practices from the Odisha Human Rights Commission. The conference concluded with reflections on creating effective taskforces, stakeholder convergence, and long-term strategies to eliminate human trafficking and bonded labour in the state.
On the sidelines of the event, Advocate Amit Nag, practicing in the High Court of Orissa, shared the story of a survivor who was recently rescued from bonded labour, highlighting the continuing challenges faced by victims even after their release.
By Siddharth Roshan | @siddhart_roshan | LinkedIn
