DRAG, along with social activist Liby Mendonca and other supporters, protested at Institute Menezes Braganza Hall, Panjim on Thursday.
The protest was to draw the attention of the government to the pending demands as the institute is one of the places not accessible to disabled persons. DRAG has demanded a lift be installed in the building as per the law.
DRAG President Avelino D’Sa said, “Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has not responded to the issue even after several letters. The rights of the disabled persons are completely ignored by the government and we are treated as outcastes.”
The association has been despondent about the chief minister’s comment that a lift cannot be installed in the building nor changes made as it is a part of Goan heritage. D’Sa stated that under the law every building should be made accessible to the disabled. He also pointed out that the institute had been recently renovated. “Rs 4 crore have been used to renovate the institute. Also, the stairs of the building have been cemented. Therefore the Chief Minister’s statement is not justified,” he said.
DRAG has demanded a ban on all events at the institute from February 1 unless the hall is made accessible to disabled persons. If the demands are not met, DRAG will hold an indefinite strike until the government takes immediate action.
D’Sa, said, “In November 2014, we had a similar protest and the minister of Art and Culture promised that changes will be made. No action has been taken, nor has the government informed us on the status of the issue.”
