NEW DELHI: National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), a disability rights organisation has written to the Election Commission, demanding action against BJP’s Safidon candidate in Haryana Ram Kumar Gautam over his alleged derogatory remarks against the disabled during an election campaign.
In a letter addressed to the chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar, NCPEDP executive director Arman Ali drew the attention of EC to a video uploaded on a local news channel where on September 6, during campaignining, Gautan is seen allegedly using the derogatory term “langda” during his campaign speech.
“Such language is unacceptable and contrary to the principles of justice and respect for persons with disability in political discourse,” Ali states in the letter where it is emphasised that the BJP leader’s remarks violate the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, as well as the EC’s Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
NCPEDP also cited the ECI advisory which lay down clearly that political parties and their representatives must avoid derogatory references to disability in speeches or public statements. The advisory mentions that any use of derogatory language, terminology, context, mockery or insults to a person with disability can attract action under the law.
The voluntary organisation in its letter urged the ECI to address the issue with urgency and ensure that such violations are met with appropriate consequences.
In a letter addressed to the chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar, NCPEDP executive director Arman Ali drew the attention of EC to a video uploaded on a local news channel where on September 6, during campaignining, Gautan is seen allegedly using the derogatory term “langda” during his campaign speech.
“Such language is unacceptable and contrary to the principles of justice and respect for persons with disability in political discourse,” Ali states in the letter where it is emphasised that the BJP leader’s remarks violate the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, as well as the EC’s Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
NCPEDP also cited the ECI advisory which lay down clearly that political parties and their representatives must avoid derogatory references to disability in speeches or public statements. The advisory mentions that any use of derogatory language, terminology, context, mockery or insults to a person with disability can attract action under the law.
The voluntary organisation in its letter urged the ECI to address the issue with urgency and ensure that such violations are met with appropriate consequences.
