UCA News
Contribute

India's disabled face discrimination, exclusion

Indian Social Institute event told of lack of opportunities for education and employment
India's disabled face discrimination, exclusion

Retired Supreme Court judge P.J. Kurian (third from right, back row) with other dignitaries during the international consultation at the Indian Social Institute in New Delhi on Jan. 17. (Photo: Bijay Kumar Minj/UCA News)

Published: January 21, 2020 08:36 AM GMT
Updated: January 21, 2020 08:37 AM GMT

Church leaders, activists, civil society and lawyers from across India say disabled persons should be seen as equal partners in society.

They discussed issues including international law standards on disability rights, equality, non-discrimination, rights to education, employment, accessibility and the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2016.

“According to the Indian constitution, all individuals are entitled to human rights without discriminating on the lines of caste, creed and religion,” retired Supreme Court judge P.J. Kurian, a Catholic, said while delivering the inaugural lecture at an international consultation at the Indian Social Institute in New Delhi on Jan. 17.

“We need to open our inner eyes to see all as partners and not with our external eyes as products. We need to use the divine touch for an empathetic approach to see all as partners.

“There are more than billion disabled people in India and we have to take these issues very carefully because we are the duty holders. We have to see that justice is done in treating people with disability, but at the same time visibility is the great challenge in front of us and an awareness drive among people will ease the task.”

Over 150 stakeholders representing non-governmental organizations, academics and legal experts took part in the event from Jan. 17-19 organized by the Jesuit-run Indian Social Institute.

Across the globe, disabled people have been suffering extreme forms of social neglect and exclusion. This continues to haunt civil societies on the issue of human rights.

No major social movements have occurred in India for the holistic empowerment of disabled people. Poverty, lack of awareness and public apathy prevent them from entering the social mainstream as productive individuals.

While India ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (UNCRPD) in October 2007, its implementation remains poor.

The disabled in India still face discrimination, exclusion, lack of opportunities for education and employment, and barriers in accessing and exercising even their basic rights. Stigma, poor understanding of disability, its causes and associated stereotypes have for decades contributed to their marginalization.

Amita Dhanda, an academic and activist, said people with disabilities are denied personhood.

Sister Tresa Paul, who organized the event, said Indian primary and secondary schools involved in educating disabled children are most visible whereas dedicated higher education institutions are rare.

S.L. Deshpande, a panelist who spoke on rights to education, employment and accessibility, said that “equality is an empty idea until a society makes it substantive. The goals of inclusion ensured by the law must be realized in actual context.”

He added: “Inclusive education must also involve inclusive settings with special means for people with disabilities as realizing the goals of education by disabled people in an ordinary school setting is impossible.”

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia