Source: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/disability-rights-groups-welcome-cpi-m-manifesto_100168146.html

“A good beginning. Hope other Political Parties, especially Congress and BJP will also focus on the cause of disabled people in their manifesto,” says Javed Abidi

The CPI (M) Manifesto was released recently. We are pleased to see that there is a separate and distinct mention of disabled people, under the Chapter on “Peoples; Rights”. Where the rights of Working Class people or Agricultural Workers are listed; or where, the issues concerning Women, Children, Dalits, etc. are detailed, there is a clear section on Disabled People also. If nothing else, it atleast shows that disabled people are being treated with the same dignity or concern as is being accorded to other Minority Groups like Senior Citizens, Minorities or Youth.

It is also perhaps indicative of the fact that our mainstream political parties are beginning to realize that disabled people too are an important Vote Bank. After all, they constitute 5-6% of India’s population. It must not be forgotten that it is not merely 60 to 70 million disabled people but 60 to 70 million HOUSEHOLDS! We welcome CPI (M)’s initiative. It remains to be seen if Congress and BJP will also talk about disabled people in their Manifesto or not. We, of course, will keep a close eye.

As far as we are concerned, we have circulated the Note (enclosed/ attached) to all the major political parties. Our three specific demands are:

1. A separate Ministry of Disability Affairs.
2. All ministries to be made responsible vis.a.vis. disability issues.
3. A minimum of 3% their total budget to be allocated for issues concerning disabled people.

Javed Abidi
Honorary Director
18.3. 2009