On International Disability Day, J&K’s PwDs demand dignity, not tokenism
Srinagar, Dec 3: As the world observed the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Wednesday, a group of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) from different parts of Kashmir assembled in Srinagar, demanding implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act 2016, saying their legally guaranteed rights remain out of reach.
Members of various disability groups, led by the J&K Handicapped Association, said the RPwD Act, 2016, remains largely unimplemented on the ground.
They called this delay “a direct denial of basic rights” that continues to affect the community’s access to social welfare, employment, accessibility, and protection from discrimination.
‘EXCEPT J&K, EVERY STATE IMPLEMENTED IT’
State President of the J&K Handicapped Association, Abdul Rashid Bhat, said the community had been fighting for its rights for decades, but progress remains slow.
“We have been fighting for years now. The Disability Act of 2016 is fully implemented across India, but in J&K it continues to remain on paper. It was adopted here in 2018, yet no real steps were taken to enforce it,” he said.
Bhat said the earlier 1995 Act had only seven disability categories, but the 2016 Act expanded it to 21, bringing the estimated number of PwDs in J&K to nearly 10 lakh, based on the association’s calculations.
‘HORIZONTAL JOB RESERVATIONS NOT USEFUL’
One of their core demands is making disability reservation “vertical”, as done for SC, ST, and OBC categories, rather than horizontal.
“We have 4 percent reservation, but it is horizontal. This means posts often merge or get lost when recruitment happens. If it were vertical, even 5 or 10 vacancies would accumulate and ensure fair representation. Right now, thousands of qualified disabled youth are at home,” Bhat said.
‘Rs 1250 PENSION AN INSULT’
The disabled community also demanded an enhancement of the monthly social welfare pension, which currently stands at Rs 1250 per month.
“What can a person do with Rs 1250 in today’s world? This pension has increased by only Rs 250 in many years. We demand at least Rs 5000 so that a disabled person can survive with dignity,” Bhat said.
‘WE ARE NOT GETTING OUR RIGHTS’
As per the protestors, the RPwD Act guarantees a wide range of protections, accessible infrastructure, education support, job reservations, social security, penalties for discrimination, and benefits such as assistive devices and rehabilitation.
But a senior member of the J&K Handicapped Association, Wasim Feroze Mattoo, said almost none of these are implemented in J&K.
“Education is a challenge, employment is a challenge, accessibility is a challenge. If the act is implemented, half of our problems will be solved. Even if someone misbehaves with us, the act provides penalties, but without implementation, we get no protection,” Mattoo said.
‘ACCESSIBILITY STILL MISSING IN PUBLIC SPACES’
Mattoo said that despite clear provisions in the act, ramps, accessible toilets, and barrier-free spaces were missing in most government buildings, including schools, offices, public venues, and even welfare offices.
“We have to be carried on shoulders or lifted by four people to enter offices. It is humiliating. The act clearly says that all buildings must be accessible, and if there is an obstacle, it must be removed for a disabled person, yet nothing has changed,” he said.
‘NO ONE REMEMBERS US AFTER DEC 3’
Bhat said that while many institutions, hospitals, and departments held formal events to mark the day, these programmes do little to change the situation on the ground.
“Ministers and officers attend functions today and make big speeches. But after December 3, no one remembers what they promised. We protest every year to remind the government that our rights exist,” he said.
Bhat said that while the Social Welfare Department provides wheelchairs and tricycles, rehabilitation support and long-term assistance remain inadequate.
