April 2, 2019: It is the election year. In the Lok Sabha elections, the political parties are trying to win each and every seat by criticizing the other parties. Between the conflicting atmosphere of political ideologies, Bharatiya Divyang Sangathan has urged all political parties, especially the ruling party-BJP ,that Divyang (disabled) people who constitute 3% of the population should be made part of the mainstream political discourse. The organization says that all political parties should give tickets to at least two disabled candidates in the Lok Sabha elections.
Amit Kumar, National president of Bharatiya Divyang Sangathan, said that the first phase of the electoral process is going on, but till now no party has made any disabled a candidate. But, so many uneducated people have been made political candidates. With respected Modi ji at the helm of things, why is it not possible for disabled people who have equal intellectual capacity, to get a place in mainstream politics?
The National President of Bharatiya Divyang Sangathan said that, in this case the role of media becomes very important. The media should tell the country’s leaders and the public that disabled people are not less competent with respect to politics, and to give respect and authority by making them a candidate is the duty of all political parties of the country. All responsible citizens should raise their voices in this regard. Last month, the National President of Bharatiya Divyang Sangathan, Mr. Amit Kumar had a press conference in Delhi saying that instead of giving symbolic respect to disabled people, it is necessary to make them a part of the political mainstream. Amit Kumar asked the political parties whether it is enough to give only a new name ‘Divyang’ to the disabled and handicapped? He said, today the leaders are fighting for votes, but they are not working to give tickets to 3% disabled people and to give rights to 10% families with disabled people.
He said, there is inadequate arrangement for the disabled to even cast their vote respectfully. All voting booths must have ramps for easy movement of disabled people and the elderly. If this is not done, political parties and the Election Commission should be accused of violating the rights of voters.
Chairman of Bharatiya Divyang Sangathan, Amit Kumar has raised the issue of proportional representation in all the political parties. He said that this work should be done as soon as possible so that the disabled can say that not just our name, but our life has also changed.
Bharatiya Divyang Sangathan has demanded a pension for disabled People, giving them a Divyang card, making their education free, from primary to graduation, and giving free ration on the basis of disability percentage.
Hopefully, we will see the Modi Government acknowledge the rights of the disabled and bring actual change in the lives of disabled people.