In the heart of Maharashtra lies Beed district, a region infamous not for its development, but for one of the most horrifying and unconstitutional human rights violations ongoing for over two decades.

Every year, thousands of sugarcane workers migrate from Beed, Dhule, Nandurbar and parts of Kannad taluka to work in Maharashtra’s vast sugarcane belt. Among these, Beed stands out—not for productivity, but for the shocking exploitation of its women laborers.

At the core of this abuse is the ‘Koyta System’ — where a married couple (man and woman) is compulsorily recruited as a unit. This has led to a shadow practice called “Get Cane Marriages,” where girls as young as 12 to 14 are married off secretly, just to be eligible for cane cutting work.

Violation of Laws:

Child Marriage Prohibition Act
Minimum Wages Act
Right to Education
Once inducted, women laborers are subjected to another level of systemic cruelty. During menstruation, when physical discomfort naturally affects work, they are denied rest, paid less, or fined. Many are forced into undergoing hysterectomy (removal of uterus) at the hands of politically protected doctors.

These surgeries are done not out of medical need, but as a tool to maximize labor output. Contractors, in collusion with doctors, charge Rs. 40,000–50,000 for the surgery—offering loans to laborers at high interest. The real cost? Rs. 20,000. The rest is profit, commission, and silence.

According to local whistleblowers, some hospitals even destroy the removed uteruses by feeding them to dogs to eliminate evidence. The cruelty knows no bounds.

Consequences:

No sexual health care
Domestic violence due to lack of lubrication during intercourse
Increased dependency and loss of dignity
If a woman loses her husband, she is paid half wages. Worse, she is often sexually exploited by contractors, drivers, and co-workers. Refusal is not an option.

Despite all this, no meaningful action has been taken. The Women’s Commission is silent. Local police and administration have turned a blind eye. And for over 20–25 years, this inhuman tradition continues unchecked under the shadow of powerful political families like the Munde dynasty.

Educational Scam: Children who migrate with their parents are still marked as “present” in government school records to siphon off grants. A clear violation of the Right to Education Act.

Voices of Resistance: Social activists like Manisha Tokle and Ashok Tangade, along with their daughter Ankur Tangade (now a Washington Post journalist), have been relentlessly exposing this cruelty. Their courage deserves nationwide recognition.

Cultural Reflection: Director Anant Mahadevan’s film “Bittersweet” (nominated at Busan Film Festival) is based on this very issue, but it still hasn’t found an Indian platform for release.

Final Question: गैंग्स ऑफ बीड: महिला गन्ना मजदूरों के असंवैधानिक शोषण की परतें उपशीर्षक: बाल विवाह से लेकर जबरन गर्भाशय हटवाने तक, बीड की गन्ना माफिया संविधान की धज्जियां उड़ाकर फल-फूल रही है, जबकि प्रशासन और महिला आयोग मौन है।