India – 10,000 disabled persons march to the Parliament

Around ten thousand disabled persons from various parts of the country took out a March to Parliament today, coinciding with World Disability Day. Owing allegiance to the affiliates of the National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD), National Federation of the Blind and the National Association of the Blind apart from various independent Disabled Persons Organisations and NGOs, the protest was against the inordinate delay on the part of the Central Government in bringing the amendments and placing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014 for discussion in parliament.

The RPD Bill introduced during the fag end of the UPA government’s tenure was sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment owing to certain concerns raised by several disability rights organisations. However, the delay in introducing the amendments and placing them for discussion in parliament after several months since the Parliamentary Standing Committee submitted its recommendations is inexplicable.

The protesters were addressed by leading office bearers of the various organisations. Smt. Brinda Karat, member of the Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) came to express solidarity with the protesters.

A memorandum was submitted to the Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot by a delegation from these organisations. They would also be meeting the President of India in the evening.

Memorandum Handed over the Minister on December 3, 2015

Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot

Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment

Government of India

New Delhi

Subject:     Rights of Persons With Disabilities Bill 2014

Pending in Rajya Sabha

Dear Shri Gehlot Ji,

We, representatives of the undersigned disabled persons organizations approach your honour on this International Day of disabled persons to draw your kind attention to the issues pertaining to the Rights of Persons With Disabilities Bill 2014 pending in the Rajya Sabha.  We wish to submit the following for your kind consideration and indulgence:

1. That Rights of Persons With Disabilities Bill 2014 was introduced by the previous Government in Rajya Sabha which did not fully address the aspirations of persons with disabilities. It also sought to legitimize discrimination on the ground of disability under certain circumstances.  There were other various provisions which were contentious.  Consequently, various disability rights organisations including those endorsing this petition opposed the passage of the said bill without amendment and debate.
2. That thus, as a result of the campaign, the Bill was not passed and instead was referred to Parliamentary Standing Committee of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
3. That the Parliamentary Standing Committee related to the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment invited suggestions and after public hearings from stake holders finally submitted its Report in May 2015 to the government incorporating various suggestions and recommendations made by disability rights organisations.  However, certain issues still remain unaddressed.
4. Unfortunately, the government is yet to publicly spell out its stand on the amendment of the Bill and its introduction after making the necessary amendments.
5. It is for this reason that various disabled persons organizations have come together and have organised a march to parliament to demand that the government introduce the amendments to the Bill on the basis of recommendations of Parliamentary Standing Committee as well as other suggestions given by various Stakeholders and have a proper and extensive debate in the Parliament in the ongoing Winter Session.

We, therefore, very humbly request you to please ensure that the government take immediate steps to amend the Bill based on the recommendations of Parliamentary Standing Committee and other suggestions of Stakeholders and introduce the amended Bill in Rajya Sabha during the ongoing Winter session itself.

Thanking You

With regards

Yours sincerely

Signatory Organisations:

1. National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled
2. National Federation of the Blind
3. National Association of the Blind
4. Paschim Banga Rajya Prathibandhi Sammelani, West Bengal
5. Tamilnadu Assn for the Rights of Differently-Abled & Caregivers, Tamilnadu
6. Differently-Abled Welfare Federation, Kerala
7. Karnataka Rajya Angavikalara Mattu Palakara Okkota
8. Haryana Viklang Adhikar Manch, Haryana
9. Vikalangula Hakkula Jathiya Vedika, Telangana
10. Gujarat Viklang Adhikar Manch, Gujarat
11. Human Rights Law Network, Delhi
12. Jharkhand Viklang Morcha, Jharkhand
13. Lakshwadeep Disabled Association, Lakshwadeep
14. Platform for Rights of Disabled, Orissa
15. National Association of the Blind, Dehi
16. Federation for Disability Rights, Delhi
17. Action for Autism, Delhi
18. Delhi Viklang Adhikar Manch,
19. Sense International India
20. Yes We Can, Delhi