People with disabilities stage protest for their rights

Srinagar, Dec 3: Scores of people with disabilities on Wednesday observed World Disability Day by staging a protest at Press Enclave in the city centre Lal Chowk.

They accused the government of failing to address their long-pending demands despite decades of struggle. Wearing black headbands and holding placards displaying their demands, the protesting members under the banner of J&K Handicapped Association raised slogans in support of their rights and alleged that “successive administrations” had shown little seriousness toward the welfare of people with disabilities.

Abdul Rashid Bhat, President of the Association, said their foremost demand is the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, which, he said, has been enforced in most states across the country but continues to remain neglected in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Despite the fact that Kashmir has a large population of disabled people, the administration has failed to implement the Disability Act. It is unfortunate that on a day that should be about supporting and empowering persons with disabilities, we are compelled to mark it as a Black Day,” Bhat said.

He said that the current social security pension provided to persons with disabilities is meagre, which he termed “highly inadequate”. “At a time when inflation has hit the common man hard, how can a disabled person survive on such a meagre amount? The government must increase the pension and introduce other social protections without delay,” he said.

The protesters also demanded a proper reservation policy in jobs and education, saying the existing provisions were insufficient and poorly implemented. They further sought relaxation in basic amenities such as electricity, water supply and healthcare services, along with greater accessibility in public and private infrastructure.

Another protester said that despite large-scale infrastructure development, barrier-free access remains a distant dream. “Most government and private institutions are still inaccessible. Ramps and support systems exist only on paper. We face these challenges every single day,” he said.

The protesters expressed disappointment that while legislators and officials approve salary hikes for themselves without delay, the basic needs of disabled persons remain ignored. “Only promises are made, but nothing changes on the ground. We are forced to come on the roads to demand our rights,” they said.

Warning of intensifying the agitation, the Association said it would launch an indefinite protest if its demands continue to be overlooked. “We have been fighting for decades. If the government does not act, we will continue our struggle till justice is delivered,” they said.