Latest news with #DivyangAdhikarMahasangh


Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Declare ‘Sitaare Zameen Par' tax-free: Divyang orgn to CM
Jaipur: Divyang Adhikar Mahasangh, an advocacy group for the rights of specially abled persons, urged chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma to declare the newly released film 'Sitaare Zameen Par' tax-free in the state. In a letter to the CM, the president of the organisation, Hemant Bhai Goyal, wrote, "I humbly request that the recently released Hindi film 'Sitare Zameen Par' be declared tax-free in the state of Rajasthan. This film focuses on the lives, struggles, talents, and confidence of children with special needs (Divyangjan). It demonstrates how such children can be integrated into the mainstream through sports and sensitive leadership." "This will promote inclusion, equality, and a positive attitude towards specially abled individuals in society," he wrote. Goyal said the film reflects the spirit of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 and promotes respect and inclusion for specially abled individuals in society. "It conveys a message of making specially abled children self-reliant through sports, aligning with the objectives of NEP 2020 and the inclusive sports policy," he wrote. "The film highlights mental health, self-esteem, and the role of family, which are essential social needs of our time," he further wrote. Goyal said the Rajasthan govt has always promoted the welfare and social harmony of specially abled individuals. "This decision will further strengthen those efforts. If the film is made tax-free, it will reach rural and low-income groups, increasing awareness and sensitivity towards such individuals among the public," he added.


Time of India
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Divyang trouble for Rahul over ‘lame horse' remark
Jaipur: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi 's remarks on underperforming Congress workers made at a party meeting in Bhopal on Tuesday seems to have boomeranged. While his party workers may have taken the remark in their stride, an advocacy group for specially-abled persons has taken a stand against Rahul for calling non-performing Congress persons "langda ghoda" or lame horse. The Divyang Adhikar Mahasangh, a Jaipur-based advocacy group, formally registered a protest over Rahul's use of ableist language and wrote to the chief commissioner for persons with disabilities, Govt of India, and the chief election commissioner (CEC), on Wednesday. Mahasangh national president Hemant Bhai Goyal said that while addressing the Congress meeting in Bhopal, Rahul disparagingly said he was adding a third category of horses – the "langda ghoda" (lame horse) – to the known two types used for races and weddings. "He further stressed on retiring the lame horse," Goyal said, condemning the remarks as derogatory and harmful to the dignity of persons with disabilities (PwDs). This choice of words, Goyal argued not only disrespects the rights of PwDs but also violates the spirit of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. "The language used by a Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha should reflect respect and understanding for all sections of the society, especially those who are most vulnerable," Goyal said. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo "His comments have deeply hurt the sentiments of millions of PwDs and their families across the country," he claimed. Goyal further pointed ECI's 2023 guidelines issued for political parties which state that "common examples of ableist language are words like dumb (gunga), retarded (pagal, sirphira), blind (andha, kana), deaf (behra), lame (langda, lula, apahij), etc. It is necessary to avoid usage of such derogatory language". The backlash from Rahul's comments has ignited a broader conversation about the responsibility of public figures to use language that promotes inclusivity and respect for all individuals, regardless of their physical abilities. "Shouldn't we all strive to eliminate terms that perpetuate stereotypes and insults towards the specially-abled community?" Goyal asked, while demanding action against Rahul.