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
  • Bengal NGOs to file petition asking legal fraternity to show sensitivity towards disabled people during cases

Bengal NGOs to file petition asking legal fraternity to show sensitivity towards disabled people during cases

Image of a gavel used to symbolise justice
Get-hooked December 7, 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)
0

Leading disability rights NGOs in Bengal plan to move a prayer asking the legal fraternity to be held accountable for insensitive comments about disability in court.

“Leave aside your imaginary stories about your autistic child. As if we don’t know what is what.”

This comment was made in the presence of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Criminal Court, Alipore during a hearing in a divorce case. It was made by a senior lawyer to Dr Aditi Bandopadyaya, disability rights activist and single mother.

Aditi, whose 11-year-old son has autism, has described this on social media as ‘mental abuse’. “Do lawyers have the right to speak any nonsense in court to mentally abuse their opponent? Do they have the right to sham a disability? Do they have the right to openly harass a mother striving hard singlehandedly with her own parents to get the child properly intervened? There are many single mothers like me harassed, abandoned and yet blamed maliciously and even beaten up for giving birth to a special needs child”.

Two leading Bengal NGOs Bhavna Child Development Centre and Parivar Bengal are taking this matter seriously. They will file a prayer before the Chief Judicial Magistrate and District Judge of Alipore Court. They want the legal fraternity be held accountable for such statements.

There is a provision in RPD Act 2016 U/S 6 for protection from cruelty and inhuman treatment and U/S 7 for protection from abuse, violence and exploitation. We pray humbly before you to kindly take our appeal into consideration and do the needful, to restrict use of insensitive remarks about any disability in future.

Not the first instance of discrimination towards disabled

“This happens all  the time”, says Dr Sudeshna Chowdhury, Bhavna Child Development Centre. “Aditi is the first to speak up. This is insulting and unacceptable”.

The remarks are more shocking when legal experts make them, says Rashmi Mantri, special educator at Apeejay School, Kolkata. “Where are we headed if the legal fraternity has such open disregard for the RPWD Act 2016? Our society lacks basic awareness about disability. Look at how children and adults with disabilities are treated”.

The NGOs want the a code of conduct laid down for legal fraternity. “When you target the mother of a child with autism, the child is indirectly being bullied as well”, adds Rashmi.

Aditi wanted the lawyer to finish cross examining her day as she was a single mother with no support. This was a reasonable request. The lawyer’s response shows the insensitivity people with disabilities and their families face from unexpected quarters. It highlights the need for sensitisation trainings across all levels of authority.

 

0

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

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Get-hooked,Headlines
    Celebrate Achievers with Disabilities with us today
  • Technology
    Check out these free apps that help develop fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy

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

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Matthew Walzer is wearing a blue shirt

Get-hooked

Matthew Walzer’s letter continues to make an impact nearly 10 years later

Christine Ha has covered her eyes and the words how you see me are on the back of her hand

Get-hooked

Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha is the face of month-long campaign this International Women’s Day

Images of the 5 apps featured in article

Technology

Check out these free apps that help develop fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy

Invite to the telecast & webstreaming of the 2021 CavinKare Ability Awards at 7pm today.

Get-hooked

Celebrate Achievers with Disabilities with us today

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

Understanding Autism & Chewing

Get-hooked

Tamahar Trust offers specialised care & therapies to children with disabilities & their families

Accessibility

Katie Pennick’s YouTube show ‘Cooking in a Wheelchair’ discusses accessible cooking in a fun way

Get-hooked

“If you don’t step forward to break barriers, no one else will”- My Take by Sweta Mantrii

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

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.