Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Get-hooked
  • Amit Shah’s statement supporting term ‘Divyangjan’ sparks controversy in the community

Amit Shah’s statement supporting term ‘Divyangjan’ sparks controversy in the community

Get-hooked October 30, 2019
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Last week, at an event held at Gandhinagar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah made a statement that introduction of the term ‘Divyangjan’ by Narendra Modi was his biggest gift to people from the disabled community. His latest statement did not go very well amongst members from the disabled community who have already been protesting against usage of the term. This is the focus of our #StoryOfTheWeek.

Last month, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), in their 22nd session, said that the term Divyang is controversial and hurtful to many people from the disabled community. The term was coined by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon after he came into power in the year 2014. Now, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has backed Modi. His latest statement saying that the term Divyang is Modi’s biggest gift to people from the disabled community has sparked controversy yet again.

While speaking at a function in Gandhinagar last Friday, Shah further added that their government had reached out to over 14 lakh people in their first term. The number will go up to over 30 lakh in the next five years. Shah assured that the BJP led central government will ensure all the facilities for people from the disabled community as well.

TMN Deepak, Founder, 3 December Movement in Chennai says that the statement from Amit Shah is indeed insensitive.

The recent UN committee has also stated how the term ‘Divyang’ is inappropriate. India has a commitment to national and international communities that needs to be adhered to. Though Modi is head of the government, he cannot make such a statement without consulting members of the community especially when majority of the disability sector is against the usage of this term. The government is clearly incorrect in using such terms. Amit Shah is also not an expert who can make such a statement like this-TMN Deepak, Founder, 3 December Movement.

Until a few years back, apang, which means physically handicapped was the most commonly used term for people with disabilities. This later changed to ‘divyang’ after Modi came to power. Shah claims that the term had made the world look at people with disabilities in a positive light. But disabled community members do not agree.

Nipun Malhotra, disability rights advocate says that coining the term ‘Divyangjan’ is definitely not something that the government can be proud of. “I feel PM Modi’s biggest gift for the community during his last term was introduction of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and ‘Accessible India’ campaign, though both were not fully implemented. What is happening now is that our politicians are still stuck in charity mode where they think a person with disability needs help. That is why such terms become popular amongst them. I would rather suggest to look into the positive things that the government has done”, says Malhotra.

Speaking at the event where he was distributing assistive devices to people with disabilities, Shah assured that the central government has many projects in their pipeline for members of the community.

Also Read: Term ‘Divyangjan’ is controversial & offensive, says United Nations body

Watch in Sign Language

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Contribue to Newz Hook |Disability news. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature disability stories or share disability news with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Parasports

India at Paralympics 2021 – Meet the disabled women athletes looking to make the country proud

Get-hooked

Understanding Prader-Willi syndrome

Get-hooked

Understanding not responding to name as a sign of ASD

Get-hooked

Film with a cast of over 80 people with disabilities to release worldwide in November

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook | Disability News - media site focusing on Disability Stories and Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight disability news, offer inclusive solutions and create accessible collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who will share disability stories and news.
Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.