New Delhi: On Tuesday, a significant protest unfolded in Tamil Nadu, involving the Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC). Approximately 200 members were detained by police while peacefully protesting for improved welfare provisions for the differently-abled population. The demonstration, which aimed to reach Fort St. George, was thwarted, with protesters detained at various locations, including the Koyembedu bus stand and under house arrest.
The core of their protest centred on two key issues: inadequate financial assistance and amendments to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) scheme. TARATDAC argued that the current monetary aid offered by the Tamil Nadu government is insufficient to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities, advocating for a system mirroring that of Andhra Pradesh, where financial assistance varies based on the percentage of disability (Rs 15,000 for 100%, Rs 10,000 for 50%, and Rs 6,000 for below 50-40%).
Furthermore, TARATDAC members contested a recent alteration to the MNREGA scheme implemented by the DMK government. They highlighted a shift from the previous arrangement, allowing differently-abled individuals to work for four hours and receive full payment, to the current requirement of eight hours of work for the same payment. This change, they argued, disproportionately affects those with disabilities, limiting their ability to participate fully in the scheme.
This protest came amidst the announcement by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin of reserving 25% of 100 government jobs for people with special needs. This announcement, however, failed to address the immediate and pressing concerns highlighted by TARATDAC. Smitha Sadasiven of the Disability Rights Alliance, Tamil Nadu, expressed strong criticism of the government’s response, questioning the rationale behind the detention of peaceful protesters and emphasising their fundamental right to express their concerns.
She further pointed out the irony of the government’s seemingly contradictory actions: reserving jobs while simultaneously suppressing those advocating for increased support. The incident has sparked broader discussion concerning the treatment of differently-abled individuals in Tamil Nadu and the overall commitment to disability rights within the state’s political landscape.
