A DELEGATION from the National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) met the minister of minority affairs, Mukthar Abbas Naqvi on January 5.

They submitted a memorandum seeking the removal of certain provisions contained in the guidelines issued by the Haj Committee of India that virtually bar persons with disabilities from undertaking the Haj pilgrimage.

The minister assured that he would issue an advisory to the Haj Committee of India to review the guidelines and “bring it in conformity” with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. He also assured that “corrective action” will be taken.

Naqvi had replied on similar lines on January 4 in response to a letter addressed to him by T K Rengarajan.

The minister also pointed out that the clause “Persons whose legs are amputated, who are crippled, handicapped, lunatic or otherwise physically/mentally incapacitated” – are ineligible to apply for Haj – has been removed from the guidelines uploaded on the website of the Haj Committee of India. The website informs that “This clause of eligibility is under review”. This was consequent to the NPRD’s letter of December 27, 2017 letter to the minister.

NPRD is hopeful that the other objectionable clauses would also be reviewed and “corrective action” taken, as assured by the minister.

CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP, TK Rengarajan accompanied NPRD general secretary Muralidharan, Vishwanath and Faisal Nawaz in meeting the minister.