Tamil Nadu: Activists, differently-abled people miffed with PM’s remark on dyslexic

CHENNAI: Activists and organisations for the welfare of differently-abled people have demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi tender an apology for his ‘distasteful’ remark on people with dyslexia, while taking a pot-shot at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

The incident took place during a student interaction at the Smart India Hackathon 2019 organised by IIT Roorkee on Saturday. A student was explaining about her project to benefit dyslexic kids through video conferencing, when the PM asked if her programme could help a ‘40 to 50-year-old child’, hinting at Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

When the student responded in affirmation, he commented, “Then it will make the mothers of such children happy”.

While Congress party leaders slammed Modi on social media for the comment, activists for the rights of the differently-abled people expressed anguish over the insensitive remark.

T M N Deepak Nathan, of December 3 Movement, said he has mailed a complaint to Kharagpur Police in West Bengal against the PM for the remark, requesting station house officer to invoke action under section 92 (a) of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016.

According to the Act, those who intentionally insult or intimidate, with intent to humiliate, a person with disability in any place within public view, shall be punishable with imprisonment of not less than six months, that may extend to five years, and with fine.

State general secretary of Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently-abled and Caregivers, S Namburajan, issued a statement, condemning the “insensitive” remark on dyslexia and demanded an apology from the PM. “If Modi does not tender an apology, organisations for the differently-abled shall be forced to file complaints as per the legal provisions,” he said and citing the 2016 Act.

Activist Smitha Sadasivam, of Disability Rights Alliance, said the state (government) has the responsibility to ensure rights and dignity of people with disabilities are preserved. It was unfortunate to hear him, being a Prime Minister, be insensitive to people with disabilities, Smitha said. “The UN convention and the Indian disability law command respect to the inherent dignity of persons with disability. The PM does not seem to be sensitised about it,” she said.