THE National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD), in a statement issued on December 26, has strongly condemned the thrashing of a disabled youth by a BJP leader in Uttar Pradesh.

The beating up of the youth merely because he did not subscribe to the BJP’s ideology and voiced his opinion openly, is a reflection of the times that we are living in – in a climate of increasing intolerance and hate. By this wanton act, they have made it abundantly clear that anyone challenging their views and defying their diktats will be “punished”. 

As is the wont of the UP Police, instead of initiating action against the attacker, it was the youth who was arrested. It was only after a hue and cry was raised that a complaint has been registered against the BJP leader. Sadly, in this case also the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 have not been invoked.

On the one hand, Modi and the BJP have coined a patronising term “divyang” to connote people with disabilities, but on the other hand, their leaders abuse and physically attack disabled people who dissent and dare to raise their voice. Such incidents only reveal and reinforce their regressive mindset. Last year, a BJP minister in UP, Pachauri, used abusive language against a disabled safai karmachari in Lucknow and cast aspersions on his ability.