Disability activists flag Manmohan’s shift to Rajya Sabha last row for wheelchair

According to Congress sources, Singh's office asked the party to change his seat as it was difficult for him to walk to the front row. The party then arranged for him to be seated in the back row, near the aisle.

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh in a wheelchair at Parliament House to cast his vote for the election of the President in July 2022. (Express photo by Prem Nath Pandey)

Listen to this article

00:00

1x 1.5x 1.8x

WITH FORMER Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s designated seat in Rajya Sabha being shifted from the front row to the last row this session to allow wheelchair movement, disability rights activists are calling for greater political representation of persons with disabilities (PwDs) and creative solutions to make public buildings more accessible.

According to Congress sources, Singh’s office asked the party to change his seat as it was difficult for him to walk to the front row. The party then arranged for him to be seated in the back row, near the aisle.

While it may be age-related mobility issues in the case of the former Prime Minister, disability rights activists have maintained that accessible and inclusive designs are not for PwDs alone. Anyone can experience temporary disability due to injury or illness, and public spaces should cater to that as well, they said.

Anjlee Agarwal, a disability rights advocate and founder of NGO Samarthyam who was involved in the third-party accessibility audit of the Parliament building in 2011, said it was not enough to designate toilets for PwDs or construct ramps, but to ensure that they are user-friendly.

During the accessibility audit, Agarwal, a wheelchair-user, found that the toilets did not have enough space to turn the wheelchair, the flooring was slippery, and the door latch was at an inaccessible height.

“PwDs are not treated with respect and dignity, and given the back seat. But we don’t have to accept this. The Constitution and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, guarantee us non-discrimination,” she said.

With the new Parliament building under construction, she said this was the time to “make sure that what happened to Dr Singh does not happen to anyone else”. “It’s not about a VVIP or a VIP. It’s about being treated equally,” she said.

Story continues below this ad

Dr Satendra Singh, a professor at the University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, and the founder of the Doctors with Disabilities group, said elected representatives had faced accessibility issues in the past, but were yet to raise their voices for PwDs.

“Our politicians with disabilities or those who acquire disability are failing us by not representing our voices. Rather than making Parliament and Assemblies accessible, they are happy to shift us to the last row. We need political representation of PwDs. We have exceptional professionals in medicine, sports, arts and all other fields in this category. Why are they not being nominated to Rajya Sabha,” said Dr Singh.

Nidhi Madan, a landscape architect and proponent of inclusive design, said there were “creative solutions” available – like foldable seats, or leaving a seat vacant to make space for a wheelchair-user. This requires engagement with PwDs and those working on accessibility, she said.

“The demand is for equitable access. If you’re shifting PwDs to the back row, then it’s not equal,” she said, adding that she hoped these issues would be addressed in the new Parliament building.

Damini Nath

Damini Nath is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. She covers the housing and urban affairs and Election Commission beats. She has 11 years of experience as a reporter and sub-editor. Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she was a reporter with The Hindu’s national bureau covering culture, social justice, housing and urban affairs and the Election Commission. Expertise Key Coverage Areas: Damini Nath currently specializes in reporting on two crucial beats: Housing and Urban Affairs: Providing in-depth analysis and reporting on India's urban development, policy, and housing issues. Election Commission (EC): Offering authoritative coverage of electoral processes, policies, and the functioning of India's constitutional body responsible for conducting elections. Professional Background: Her extensive experience includes roles as a reporter and sub-editor, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the journalistic process from fieldwork to final production. Previous Role: Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she served as a dedicated reporter with The Hindu’s national bureau, where her reporting portfolio included: Culture Social Justice Housing and Urban Affairs The Election Commission beat (a consistent area of focus). Trustworthiness Damini Nath's decade-plus career at two of India's most respected and authoritative news institutions, The Indian Express and The Hindu, underscores her commitment to factual, impartial, and high-quality reporting, establishing her as a trusted and credible source for news on urban governance and electoral matters. ... Read More

Manoj C.G

Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape. Experience & Career: Manoj has built a robust career in political journalism, marked by a transition from wire service reporting to in-depth newspaper analysis. The Indian Express (2008 – Present): He joined the organization in 2008 and has risen to lead the National Political Bureau, overseeing key political coverage. Press Trust of India (PTI): Prior to his tenure at The Indian Express, Manoj worked with India’s premier news agency, PTI, honing his skills in breaking news and accurate reporting. Expertise & Focus Areas: As a seasoned political observer, Manoj focuses on the nuances of governance and party dynamics. National Politics: extensive reporting on the central government, parliamentary affairs, and national elections. Political Strategy: Deep analysis of party structures, coalition politics, and the shifting ideologies within the Indian political spectrum. Bureau Leadership: directing a team of reporters to cover the most critical developments in the nation's capital. Authoritativeness & Trust: Manoj’s authoritativeness is grounded in his nearly 20 years of field experience and his leadership role at a legacy newspaper. His long-standing association with The Indian Express underscores a reputation for consistency, editorial integrity, and rigorous reporting standards required of a Bureau Chief. Find all stories by Manoj C G here. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
Manmohan Singh