It is unfortunate that Police has to detain several members of Jammu and Kashmir Handicapped Association (JKHA) after they took out a protest march near the Press Enclave in Srinagar against the government’s alleged failure to improve the lives of the physically challenged population living in J&K.
Reportedly, dozens of members of the JKHA assembled in Srinagar and called for an immediate government action for the welfare of the specially-abled community in Jammu and Kashmir. Going by such incidents where the physically challenged people have to face ordeals of such kind, it becomes necessary that the government and the specially- abled stakeholders should create a two-way channel of talks and discussions so that distasteful situations like the one discussed earlier should not occur as detaining members of the Handicapped Association is a bit harsh step.
The government holds the onus to ensure that such situations do not come to fore where the physically challenged population has to come on roads to highlight their demands. The governments both central and the UT should prioritize the matters of the specially abled and make the society inclusive as far as possible because every constituent of the society owes to contribute in the direction of giving facilities to the physically challenged people while making it sure that their dignity and pride should not get hurt in any way.
The J&K administration should take this issue on priority and toe a line which ends the stalemate as early as possible because detaining the handicapped association members for protesting against the government is something too harsh and unjustified.
One cannot negate the fact that the differently-abled deserve the care of the government therefore it should adopt a balanced approach that is both compassionate and practical in addressing the needs and concerns of such individuals.
It is the duty of the government to address the issues of differently-abled including accessibility, education, employment, and healthcare thus eliminating all the possibilities of conflicts and problems like the one surfaced in Srinagar leading to detention of handicapped association members.
All said and done, the government must work towards providing an environment where differently-abled individuals can thrive, ensuring they have equal opportunities and support.
