{"id":157749,"date":"2025-03-05T19:37:55","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T14:07:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&#038;p=157749"},"modified":"2025-03-05T19:37:55","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T14:07:55","slug":"disability-based-discrimination","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/disability-based-discrimination","title":{"rendered":"Right Against Disability-Based Discrimination"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court has declared that the right against disability-based discrimination should be considered a fundamental right.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ruling came in response to petitions challenging certain provisions of the <\/span><b>Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan Judicial Service Rules,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which were found to be discriminatory.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Key Highlights of the Supreme Court Judgment<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court observed that <\/span><b>disability-based discrimination violates the constitutional principles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of <\/span><b>equality and non-discrimination.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Eligibility of Visually Impaired Candidates for Judicial Services: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court ruled that visually impaired candidates are eligible to participate in the selection process for judicial services.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Striking Down Discriminatory Provisions: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court struck down<\/span><b> Rule 6A of the Madhya Pradesh Judicial Service Rules, 1994, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to the extent that it<\/span><b> excluded visually impaired persons <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">from applying for judicial posts.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court acknowledged that visually impaired individuals can compete on equal footing and contribute significantly to the justice delivery system.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Principle of Reasonable Accommodation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court reiterated that the principle of reasonable accommodation, as enshrined in<\/span><b> international conventions and the RPwD Act, 2016,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> mandates that<\/span><b> accommodations be provided to PwDs to assess their eligibility.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It emphasized that<\/span><b> indirect discrimination resulting in the exclusion of PwDs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is <\/span><b>unacceptable.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Affirmative Action and Inclusive Framework: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Court highlighted the need for affirmative action by the State to create an inclusive framework for PwDs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Disability-Based Discrimination<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Disability-based discrimination refers to <\/span><b>unfair treatment, exclusion, or denial of rights <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and opportunities to individuals based on their physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory disabilities.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It occurs when a person with a disability is<\/span><b> treated differently or unfavorably <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">compared to others in similar situations<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It may lead to<\/span><b> inequality in access to education, employment, healthcare, public services, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and other aspects of life.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Types of Disability-Based Discrimination<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Direct Discrimination:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> When a person is explicitly denied opportunities or benefits solely because of their disability.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Refusing to hire a qualified candidate due to their disability.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Indirect Discrimination<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: When seemingly neutral policies or rules disproportionately disadvantage persons with disabilities.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Requiring all candidates to complete a written test without providing alternative formats for visually impaired individuals).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Denial of Reasonable Accommodation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: When necessary modifications or adjustments (such as <\/span><b>accessible infrastructure, assistive technology, or flexible work conditions)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are not provided, making it difficult for persons with disabilities to access opportunities equally.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Harassment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: When a person with a disability is subjected to <\/span><b>verbal abuse, derogatory remarks, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or <\/span><b>unwelcome behavior<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that creates a hostile environment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Systemic Discrimination<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: When<\/span><b> laws, policies, or societal attitudes <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">inherently disadvantage persons with disabilities by failing to recognize their rights and needs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Legal Framework in India<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities and mandates equal opportunities in employment, education, and public services.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 21 (Right to Life and Dignity) of the Indian Constitution: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protect persons with disabilities from discrimination and ensure their full participation in society.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><b> Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was enacted to align India&#8217;s disability laws with the <\/span><b>United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>India ratified UNCRPD in 2007.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>RPwD Act<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> aims to ensure the<\/span><b> rights, equality, and inclusion of persons with disabilities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in all aspects of life.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2016 Act replaced the earlier <\/span><b>Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Key Features of the RPwD Act, 2016<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Expanded Definition of Disability: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Act increased the number of recognized disabilities from 7 (in the 1995 Act) to 21.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also allows the central government to notify other disabilities in the future.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rights and Entitlements: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Act guarantees equality, non-discrimination, and equal protection under the law for persons with disabilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Reservation in Employment and Education: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Act mandates<\/span><b> 4% reservation for persons with disabilities in government jobs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>5% reservation in higher education institutions.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Accessibility: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It requires public buildings, transport systems, and information and communication technologies to be made accessible to persons with disabilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Social Security and Health: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Act provides for social security measures, including financial assistance, insurance, and pension schemes for persons with disabilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>National and State Boards: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Act establishes Central and State Advisory Boards to monitor and advise on the implementation of the law.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also provides for the appointment of Chief Commissioners and State Commissioners to address grievances and ensure compliance.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.6375%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 111.19%; text-align: center;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-size: 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right.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":157722,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"paper-wise":[2084],"subject":[4632,2124],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/157749"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/current-affairs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=157749"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/157749\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":157753,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/157749\/revisions\/157753"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/157722"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=157749"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=157749"},{"taxonomy":"paper-wise","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/paper-wise?post=157749"},{"taxonomy":"subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/subject?post=157749"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}