Specially-Abled Community Protests for Rights in Guwahati

Peaceful Protest by the Specially-Abled Community

Guwahati, June 24: On Tuesday, individuals from the specially-abled community gathered peacefully outside Janata Bhawan in Dispur, demanding that the state government address several long-standing issues they feel have been overlooked.

With placards in hand and a resolute spirit, the demonstrators assembled near the state secretariat, urging the Social Justice and Empowerment (SJE) Department to take significant action.

They presented a memorandum outlining 13 essential demands that they believe are vital for their dignity, development, and societal inclusion.

Key among their requests was the separation of welfare initiatives for persons with disabilities from the Orunodoi scheme, along with the immediate filling of 4,419 reserved positions for specially-abled individuals across 23 state departments—vacancies that have been pending since December 31, 2017.

They also advocated for a 4% reservation for persons with disabilities in the Assam Legislative Assembly, in line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.

Furthermore, the memorandum called for the appointment of a qualified individual with a disability to the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC).

Other issues highlighted included the state’s only school for visually impaired children in Guwahati, the need for improved support for teaching staff, financial aid for economically disadvantaged specially-abled individuals, as well as free healthcare and transportation services.

Senior Congress figure Mira Borthakur joined the protestors, expressing her support and criticizing the government's focus.

She remarked, “While the Chief Minister’s wife and other senior ministers’ spouses receive substantial subsidies, what has been done for the specially-abled community?”

Borthakur assured the protestors that their voices would be heard, stating, “We are committed to understanding their demands thoroughly. The memorandum will be sent to the Leader of the Opposition for discussion in the Assembly. We will do everything possible to amplify their concerns.”

The protest concluded peacefully, but organizers warned that if their issues remain unresolved, they may escalate their efforts in the near future.