Significant reforms for people with disabilities are promised in the Congress platform

The Congress’s platform for the 18th General Election includes the demands of the handicapped people. A number of measures are included in the manifesto with the goal of addressing the issues and demands of people with disabilities.

Extending Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability, handicap, or sexual orientation is one of the manifesto’s main goals. The Congress also commits to giving Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) representation in local government bodies, strictly enforcing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, allocating funds to promote sports among marginalized groups, and updating the universal healthcare program to accommodate various societal segments.

As stated in the manifesto, discrimination on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth is forbidden under Article 15 of the Constitution. It forbids discrimination against any citizen by the state on these grounds, guaranteeing equal access to state-funded public amenities like as wells, highways, stores, and public institutions.

Nevertheless, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, economically disadvantaged groups, and socially and educationally backward classes may all benefit from specific measures made possible by Article 16. This might include reserving positions or assignments in the private sector.

“Today marks a historic milestone for the disability community in India,” said Arman Ali, Executive Director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), in response to the manifesto. The Congress’s declaration in its manifesto to amend Articles 15 and 16 to include a prohibition on disability discrimination is not only a change in policy; rather, it represents a profound transformation in how our society views and embraces people with disabilities.

With the words, “This announcement isn’t just about legal protections; it’s about changing the status quo,” Ali further emphasized the revolutionary nature of this action. It’s about fighting the deeply ingrained prejudice and shame that have kept us behind for countless generations. The goal is to establish a more just and inclusive society where everyone may prosper.

The National Centre for Promotion of Employment for handicapped People published a manifesto earlier this year that outlined the needs of the handicapped population and urged political parties to take those needs into consideration. Ali reaffirmed this demand, imploring all political parties to see disability as an essential component of diversity and to give PwDs’ inclusion and empowerment first priority in all facets of public life.

represent 2.21 percent of the total population

2.68 crore people were classified as “disabled” in the 2011 Census, making about 2.21 percent of the total population.