Srinagar, Aug 5. Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Handicapped Association (JKHA) staged a protest at the Press Enclave in Srinagar on Monday, demanding the government take immediate steps to address the longstanding issues faced by the disabled community.
Led by association president Abdul Rashid Bhat, the protestors voiced frustration over the continued neglect of their rights and entitlements, despite several disability-related laws and official directives. Speaking to the media, Bhat said, “We are not asking for charity but for what is rightfully ours.”
Among the key demands raised were the launch of special recruitment drives for educated and eligible persons with disabilities, and an increase in the monthly disability pension from the current ₹1,250 to at least ₹3,000. The association also called for the proper enforcement of the 4% reservation in government and semi-government jobs, as mandated under disability rights legislation.
In addition, the protesters sought vertical reservation for the disabled, creation of separate service counters in public offices and banks, and major improvements in accessibility, including barrier-free public transport, government buildings, and official websites.
“Despite promises on paper, the ground reality remains grim. There’s little visible change in infrastructure or in job opportunities,” Bhat remarked, expressing concern over systemic neglect.
The association also urged the administration to establish advisory boards dedicated to the upliftment of the disabled, akin to the existing boards for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Pahari communities. They demanded that persons with disabilities be given representation in district-level planning and welfare meetings to ensure their voices are heard in policymaking.
The protest concluded with an appeal to the government to treat the demands with the urgency and seriousness they deserve. [KNT]
