Telangana issue cripples Disability Rights Bill in Rajya Sabha

The Disability rights bill, introduced in the Rajya Sabha Friday, could not be taken up for discussion as the house was adjourned till Monday following din over Telangana and other issues.

Hundreds of the differently abled people took out a rally for solidarity here and marched towards parliament.

"Our biggest concern is the bill be discussed and be passed soon in both the houses," said Javed Abidi, convenor, Disabled Rights Group.

"There are rumours the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) have recommended the bill be sent to the Standing Committee, which is extremely unfortunate," he added.

Abidi said the leaders from the BJP and the CPI-M were the first to assure us the matter won't be politicised and they would put in best efforts to pass the bill.

"We are very hopeful they will keep their word and not disappoint us Monday when the house reconvenes."

There are about 70 million differently abled people in India.

"Last night we met Sushma Swaraj, leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, who assured us the matter won't be politicised and to ensure the bill gets passed," Abidi told IANS.

"The political leaders need to understand that the Disability rights bill can change the lives of millions of disabled people of our nation as the present and the future of one of the most neglected sections of society depends on the passage of this bill," Abidi said.