The Hindu : New Delhi News : Protest meeting to mark World Disability Day

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Protest meeting to mark World Disability Day

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: To mark World Disability Day, Disabled Rights Group is organising a protest meeting in which differently-abled persons from across the country will descend on the Capital on December 3.

Physically challenged persons from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir will hold a nightlong candlelight vigil to demand a separate Ministry for Disabled Affairs and ask the Government to fulfil promises made in the Eleventh Five-Year Plan.

According to Disabled Rights Group convenor Javed Abidi, the protest will begin at 3 p.m. at India Gate. “At night the protesters will light candles and then participate in the nightlong vigil. We will come prepared to stay the night and continue the vigil for as long as it takes for the powers that be to notice us and accept our demands. For us, this is not a token protest but a campaign for our dignity and demand for equal rights as citizens of this country. We want every key Ministry to have a clear-cut plan for disability. Each Ministry must allocate 3 per cent of its resources for disability issues,” added Mr. Abidi.

Pointing out that December 3 last year merited celebration for the historic convention and Eleventh Five Year Plan, Mr. Abidi said: It is more than a year since the Eleventh Five Year Plan has been passed but no steps have been taken by the Government to implement them.”

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