The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a set of guidelines to political parties and their representatives to ensure equal participation of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). For the first time the ECI promoted inclusivity and respect in the political discourse towards the PwD community.
The ECI has released a statement on Thursday, which states, the ECI has been made aware of use of derogatory or offensive language in the political discourse about Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). Usage of such semantics in speech and campaign by members of any political parties or their candidates, can be interpreted as an affront to the PwDs. Common examples of such language are words like dumb (gunga), retarded (pagal, sirphira), blind (andha, kana), deaf (behra), lame (langda, lula, apahij) etc. It is necessary to avoid usage of such derogatory terms. PwDs have to be accorded justice and respect in political discourse and campaign.
The Commission mentioned that political parties and their representatives should not use disability or PwDs or terms referring to disability or PwDs in the context of human incapacity during any public speech, in their writings, or political campaign. Any usage of such language, terminology, context, mockery, derogatory references or insult to PwDs may attract provisions of Section 92 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016.
All campaign materials, including speeches, social media posts, advertisements and press releases, must undergo an internal review process within the political party to identify and rectify any instances of ableist language, offensive or discriminatory towards individuals and PwDs.
The Right for Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 provides for protection of rights of the Persons with Disabilities. Section 7 of the said Act provides protection from all forms of abuse, violence and exploitation. Further, Section 92 of the above mentioned Act lists out punishment for such offenses.
The ECI has released a statement on Thursday, which states, the ECI has been made aware of use of derogatory or offensive language in the political discourse about Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). Usage of such semantics in speech and campaign by members of any political parties or their candidates, can be interpreted as an affront to the PwDs. Common examples of such language are words like dumb (gunga), retarded (pagal, sirphira), blind (andha, kana), deaf (behra), lame (langda, lula, apahij) etc. It is necessary to avoid usage of such derogatory terms. PwDs have to be accorded justice and respect in political discourse and campaign.
The Commission mentioned that political parties and their representatives should not use disability or PwDs or terms referring to disability or PwDs in the context of human incapacity during any public speech, in their writings, or political campaign. Any usage of such language, terminology, context, mockery, derogatory references or insult to PwDs may attract provisions of Section 92 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016.
All campaign materials, including speeches, social media posts, advertisements and press releases, must undergo an internal review process within the political party to identify and rectify any instances of ableist language, offensive or discriminatory towards individuals and PwDs.
The Right for Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 provides for protection of rights of the Persons with Disabilities. Section 7 of the said Act provides protection from all forms of abuse, violence and exploitation. Further, Section 92 of the above mentioned Act lists out punishment for such offenses.
