{"id":5799,"date":"2025-12-03T18:43:23","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T18:43:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/?p=5799"},"modified":"2025-12-03T18:43:23","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T18:43:23","slug":"padma-shri-tak-decries-ignored-disability-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/2025\/12\/03\/padma-shri-tak-decries-ignored-disability-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"Padma Shri Tak decries ignored disability rights"},"content":{"rendered":"

Srinagar, Dec 03:\u00a0<\/strong>On a day meant to celebrate inclusion and dignity, Padma Shri awardee Javed Ahmad Tak expressed deep concern that disability rights in Jammu and Kashmir remain largely unaddressed, despite clear directions from the Supreme Court of India and robust provisions under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.<\/p>\n

Tak, one of J&K\u2019s most prominent disability rights advocates, said that even fundamental guidelines, such as reservation in promotions for employees with disabilities, have not been implemented on the ground.<\/p>\n

He said it was heartbreaking that people with disabilities had to take to the streets on World Disability Day, a day meant to acknowledge their potential. \u201cInstead of celebrating our abilities, we are forced to protest for basic rights. That alone reflects our reality,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

According to Tak, the spirit behind the global observance is being misunderstood. \u201cWorld Disability Day isn\u2019t about charity. It is about strengthening our capabilities and ensuring we are part of every sphere of society,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

He lamented that despite nationwide initiatives, including the Accessible India Campaign, accessibility in Jammu and Kashmir remains negligible. \u201cA few cosmetic changes were made at some locations, but most funds lapsed without meaningful work. Ramps, tactile pathways, accessible transport\u2014these are still missing almost everywhere,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Tak said the government must at least issue clear instructions mandating accessibility in all new constructions. \u201cIf new buildings continue to be built without ramps, lifts or accessible washrooms, how do you expect a wheelchair user to participate in daily life? Such oversights push our community to the margins,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

He said the four per cent reservation in jobs for persons with disabilities is also not being honoured consistently. \u201cMany officials don\u2019t even know what our legal rights are. Even though the exam fee exemption exists, disabled applicants are still compelled to pay because lower-level staff are unaware of the rule,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Tak spoke emotionally about the social mindset that continues to stigmatise disability. \u201cAt times, we aren\u2019t treated as humans. The rules guarantee medical support and assistive devices, but on the ground, people are left to manage alone,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Comparing J&K\u2019s disability pension to other regions, he said the amount offered is \u201cshockingly low\u201d. \u201cWhile several states provide between Rs 5,000 and Rs 15,000 per month, J&K still gives only a few hundred. It should be raised to at least Rs 6,000 so that families can manage basic expenses,\u201d he urged.<\/p>\n

He also called for complete exemption from electricity and water charges, as well as free ration, for households where a disabled person is the head and relies solely on a pension.<\/p>\n

Tak warned that unless the administration acts swiftly, promises of inclusion will remain hollow. \u201cRights written on paper mean nothing until they change lives on the ground,\u201d he said\u2014(KNO)<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Srinagar, Dec 03:\u00a0On a day meant to celebrate inclusion and dignity, Padma Shri awardee Javed Ahmad Tak expressed deep concern that disability rights in Jammu and Kashmir remain largely unaddressed, despite clear directions from the Supreme Court of India and robust provisions under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Tak, one of J&K\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5800,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5799","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5799","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5799"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5799\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5801,"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5799\/revisions\/5801"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5800"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5799"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5799"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5799"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}