Panaji: The Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) on Monday demanded the immediate rollback of a notification by the Goa University (GU), alleging that it discriminates against persons with disability (PwD).
The notification issued last month relates to disqualifications, and states that a person will be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being a member of any of the authorities of the university, if the person is of “unsound mind or is a deaf, mute”.
President of the association, Avelino de Sa, said the clause discriminated against PwDs and also violated Section 3 of the Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2016.
“There was no intention to hurt anybody’s feelings. We will take steps immediately to remove the entire clause,” Registrar of GU, professor V S Nadkarni, told TOI.
He added that the statute was an old one, which also had a reference to those suffering from contagious leprosy.
“Due to repeated requests from central agencies we removed the reference to leprosy and left the rest of the statute as it was, and as per procedure when there is a part amendment, we published the clause again. It was never noticed that it would affect the sentiments of people,” he said. “We will immediately take steps to correct this,” he added.
The notification issued last month relates to disqualifications, and states that a person will be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being a member of any of the authorities of the university, if the person is of “unsound mind or is a deaf, mute”.
President of the association, Avelino de Sa, said the clause discriminated against PwDs and also violated Section 3 of the Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2016.
“There was no intention to hurt anybody’s feelings. We will take steps immediately to remove the entire clause,” Registrar of GU, professor V S Nadkarni, told TOI.
He added that the statute was an old one, which also had a reference to those suffering from contagious leprosy.
“Due to repeated requests from central agencies we removed the reference to leprosy and left the rest of the statute as it was, and as per procedure when there is a part amendment, we published the clause again. It was never noticed that it would affect the sentiments of people,” he said. “We will immediately take steps to correct this,” he added.
About The Author
