The implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPWD) still remains a distant reality in many states across India. Last Thursday, more than 1800 people with disabilities from across Tamil Nadu gathered at Chennai near the Secretariat to protest against the apathy of the state government to rightly implement laws or promote inclusion. In spite of being a peaceful protest, both organisers and protestors were arrested by the police and detained at a nearby marriage hall. This incident had sparked outrage amongst the community members.
The protest was jointly organised by December 3 Movement, Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently-Abled (TARATDAC), National Federation of the Blind and Tamil Nadu State Federation of the Deaf. All the organisations pointed out that the Disability Commissioner of the differently-abled welfare department B Maheswari or the concerned departments are unable to work for the welfare of people with disabilities in the state. This inefficiency to provide education or employment is affecting community members in many ways.
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Last year, people with disabilities had come together to protest against the inefficiency of government in implementing the act. Protestors met with state ministers who promised swift action and formation of rules in the state. Later, the central government asked them to nominate an independent commission.
TMN Deepak, founder of December 3 Movement, was leading the protest. He says that unless people with disabilities get their rights, the protsts are going to continue.