NEW DELHI: Disability rights activists have severely criticised comments made by India’s G20 sherpa Amitabh Kant and Indian Statistical Service (IAS) officer Smita Sabharwal on the “misuse and review” of disability quota in UPSC exams.
They said people with disabilities should not be viewed through a “narrow lens” that doubts their capabilities. Some cited examples of leading doctors, military personnel and businessmen to back up their claims.
The controversy erupted in the wake of allegations of cheating against Puja Khedkar, a provisional IAS candidate, who had allegedly misused the quota for persons with disabilities and other backward classes (non-creamy classes) to secure candidacy in the Civil Services Examination.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has filed a police complaint against Khedkar for falsely identifying himself and fraudulently inflating the number of times he had appeared for the civil service examination beyond the number of times allowed.
In his X post, Kant expressed concern over the alleged irregularities in the UPSC quota for persons with disabilities and suggested a review of these quotas.
“All such cases must be thoroughly investigated and strictest action taken. Selection based on merit and integrity must never be compromised,” he posted on Saturday.
“I am in favour of reservation for SC/ST or OBC. These reservation schemes should be continued and creamy layer regulations should be implemented. But the existing reservation schemes for physically and mentally disabled and the proposed 1% reservation scheme for the third gender for senior civil servants need to be reviewed. These are being misused,” added Kant, former CEO of Niti Aayog.
There are several suspected cases of fraud in relation to admission to top civil services through the UPSC. All such cases must be thoroughly investigated and strictest action taken.
The foundations of competence and integrity should never be compromised.
I support SC/ST or OBC…
— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) July 20, 2024
IAS officer Sabharwal’s comments further added fuel to the debate.
“As this debate rages, I respect people with disabilities but will an airline hire a disabled pilot? Or trust a disabled surgeon? The very nature of #AIS (IAS/IPS/IFoS) is field work, long hours of hard work, hearing people’s grievances first hand and it requires physical strength.
“Why does this premier service even need this quota in the first place! #justasking,” she posted.
The statement drew immediate backlash from all quarters.
Responding to Sabharwal’s comments, disability rights activist Dr Satendra Singh said, “Dear @SmitaSabharwal Reverend, yes there are many disabled surgeons in India – in urology, gastrointestinal surgery, plastic surgery etc. So the next time you meet a disabled person, trust their capabilities!!” Arman Ali, Executive Director, National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Persons with Disabilities, listed some notable disabled people and wrote, “@SmitaSabharwal Reverend, you are surely aware that Maj Gen Ian Cardozo AVSM SM, the first combat officer to command a battalion in @adgpi, KRS Jamwal, ED at Tata Industries and renowned oncologist Dr Suresh Advani are both wheelchair bound. The tragedy is when we view capabilities through a narrow lens!” “I am shocked at the IAS officer’s fundamental ignorance about disabilities. Most disabilities do not affect stamina or intelligence. But this tweet shows that there is a dire need for awareness and diversity,” said prominent lawyer Karuna Nandi.
Defending his position, Sabharwal said the All India Services (AIS) has different requirements compared to other central services and talented disabled people can find other great opportunities.
“…I fundamentally recognise the need for this work. The question here is whether I am suitable for a ground job. I am also convinced that other services within the government like desks or think tanks would be suitable. Please do not jump to conclusions. The legal framework is there to protect equality rights across the board. There is no room for debate there.”
Kant also made it clear in a separate post that he wanted the quotas revised, not abolished.
“I have said it needs to be reviewed, not abolished, because there are a large number of people entering with certificates of mental disability rather than physical disability,” he said.
National Platform for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (NPRD) general secretary Muralidharan issued a statement condemning Kant and Sabharwal’s comments.
“Following the scandal involving a trainee IAS officer and the revelations of multiple scams perpetrated by her, various senior officials have weighed in on the issue. In the process, many of them have revealed their deep-rooted prejudices and discrimination against not only disabled people but also those around them. Some, like Indian National Congress vice-president Amitabh Kant, have even called for a ‘review’ of the whole reservation system for disabled people.”
“Reservation for disabled persons will be made only for posts which are identified according to their respective disabilities and the identification will be based on their ability to discharge the responsibilities entailed in a particular post. It must be made clear to Kant that reservation is not an act of charity given out of sympathy.”
Published on July 21, 2024 at 21:09 IST