PwDs must consider issues not propaganda

Come election season and political parties begin pulling out dusty files regarding needs of the minority groups. This is perhaps the only time that due attention is given to the neglected lot. However, there is one group, often referred to as the ‘invisible minority’, that has, over the years, failed to get even that little iota of attention in the most sensitised of all season, the elections. A quick look at the manifestos of various national political parties reveals an alarming apathy towards the cause of Persons with Disabilities. 

India has undertaken many International obligations relating to rights of persons with disability (PwD). It is sad, but true that, most of the developments in the area of human rights of PwD happen due to international pressure. It is under these international obligations that the government brings about new laws or policies, which once drafted and adopted rarely see much action. Take for example the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, which was passed by the Parliament and then notified on December 28, 2016. Over two years have passed but the Government of Goa is yet to notify its rules and enact it in the state. 

The Constitution of India mandates that PwD enjoy the same rights as other citizens. Sadly, 75% of PwDin India, live in villages, almost 50% are illiterate and only 34% are employed (2001 data). The National Policy on PwD, released in 2006 recognised PwDs as valuable human resource and stressed on the state providing conducive environments to realise their potential, contribute to the society and lead independent lives.

To understand the commitment of national parties towards rights of PwDs, we undertook a simple exercise of analysing election manifestos of five national parties and measured them vis a vis their vision for PwDs. Before that, here’s a caveat, this write up is purely an academic exercise to educate voters on the level of commitment of parties towards rights of PwDs. It does in no way support any particular political party. 

In the last Lok Sabha CPI (M) had nine seats. For the current elections, the manifesto runs into 35 pages. Before going into the details, it is important to mention that, the party makes a special mention of Persons with Disabilities; in fact there are 12 entries under the heading. In addition to the special heading, PwD are sporadically mentioned in other places of the manifesto. 

CPI promises budgetary allocation for implementation of two enactments (relating to PwDs). It promises to simplify the process of certification, implementation of promises made on international forums and review the national disability policy. Promise of backlog clearance, creation of new job and accessibility of building and TV and other media is made.

The Indian Nationalist Congress, has had a comfortable presence in Goa and more so in Maharashtra. In the last Lok Sabha, NCP had 7 members in the lower house. The manifesto of NCP, this time, runs into 23 pages. There are three places where they come close to addressing issues pertaining to PwDs but finally fail to specifically recognise this group. In context of Human Resource Development, they evoke all groups with the exception of PwDs. This is an indication that, NCP does not consider PwD as a human resource. This is a degrading approach by the party think tank. Right to health, women and child health, child protection and women empowerment are different headings where NCP could have addressed the issues of PwDs. 

NCP wishes to display a socialistic approach, where they promise facilities to minorities like socially backward, economically backward, women and children. But a zero specific mention of persons with disabilities, which by international statistics constitute 10% of the population worldwide, exposes a glaring deficiency in their socialistic goals.

The Trinamool Congress, had 33 MPs in the last Lok Sabha and is in power in west Bengal. The AITC or TMC manifesto is 72 pages long, out of which a major portion is dedicated to the achievements of the TMC in West Bengal. Of remaining, one part is dedicated to failure of the BJP government at centre and rest is promises for the coming years. Like NCP, not a single line is dedicated to the upliftment of the persons with disabilities. Yet again a party that claims a socialistic approach but fails miserably in doing so. The exclusion or absence of PwDs from its key document shows such an utter failure in addressing social justice.

Apparently the main contender to the incumbent government, the Congress, had 45 members in the last Lok Sabha. The Congress manifesto sounds promising, since it calls for a constitutional amendment that will include Disability in Art 15 and 16 so that the State can make special provisions for the PwDs. Congress addresses yet another issue by suggesting an Amendment to include Indian Sign Language and the braille script as languages. The party promises to ensure physical inclusiveness by making government buildings etc. barrier free. 

Their understanding of Disability issues is exemplified as they recognise the importance of information inclusiveness through an accessible information portal. Party assures in its manifesto, a quick review of the policy statement of each and every department to include PwDs. Finally, the party commits itself to establish a National Centre of Research and Excellence for Special Education to ensure quality education. 

The Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in 2014 with a massive 268 embers of Parliament in the Lok Sabha. In their manifesto this time, they recommit themselves to the schemes announced in their last tenure in addition to some new promises. The incumbent party has promised early intervention and early detection of disability by empowering Anganwadi workers network. The party assures citizens of its commitment to physical accessibility through its Sugamya Bharat or Accessible India campaign. Like Congress, BJP promises continuous accessibility audits along with ratings for cities, public infrastructure including airports, railway stations etc and collaboration with industry and civil society organisations to make all public buildings accessible. 

While some manifestos with their detailed ideas and promises display their intent to the social upliftment of PwDs, there are two parties who seem to have no inkling of these issues. When a party aspires to represent its population, it must rise above the din and noise of petty electoral politics. The process of drafting a manifesto must be done with an intent to bring about a change, with a commitment to social justice and special attention to those who have been left out so far. In a country as diverse and vast as ours, a holistic understanding of the needs of the population is crucial to governance. 

It has been said that, conditions at the edge of a society reveal more about the state and progress of a society than conditions in the middle. Out of the five manifestos we have analysed, three parties have made provisions for PwDs. So before you go out and vote, make careful consideration of which party addresses the needs of our society the best. Give a careful think to whom would you prefer to represent you.

The authors are Members of iDare (Initiative for disability awareness rights and empowerment).