News

Volume 9 Issue 9 - July 15, 2012

Presidential candidate makes derogatory remarks on disability

D.N.I.S. News Network, India: Presidential candidate P.A. Sangma has earned the ire of disability activists for making derogatory remarks about disability while making a rhetorical point about his opponent. Speaking about Pranab Mukherjee’s refusal to agree to a debate, Sangma remarked, “India should have a President who is not blind, dumb and deaf.”

His remark has drawn sharp criticism from people with disabilities, leaders and activists from across the country. Tamil Nadu Physically Handicapped Association registered its “protest, discontent and great disappointment” over the remarks in a press statement. They demanded an unconditional apology from Sangma for “denigrating the capabilities of disabled people and not accepting disability as part of diversity.”

Gautam Chaudhury, a disability activist from West Bengal said, “This person cannot be even nominated for being the President of our country.”