In a powerful act of dissent marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, differently abled employees of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) took to the streets on Wednesday. The protest, which included a scooter and car rally, culminated in the symbolic burning of an effigy representing the institute's administration, highlighting years of alleged systemic discrimination and unfulfilled promises.
Core Grievances: Promotions and Infrastructure Denied
The employees, organized under the PGI Differently Abled Employees Union, presented a litany of unresolved issues. Their primary allegation centers on promotions due under reservation quotas for persons with disabilities being withheld for years. This delay directly contravenes the provisions of both the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, and the more recent Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
Beyond career stagnation, the protestors highlighted a severe lack of accessible infrastructure. Key departments such as the Public Health and Engineering Department, College of Nursing, Drug De-addiction Centre, and the Library reportedly lack basic amenities like lifts, making daily navigation a significant challenge for staff with disabilities. Furthermore, even designated parking spots for them are routinely occupied by other staff, with security personnel often turning a blind eye.
Administrative Indifference and Attitudinal Barriers
The union leadership accused the PGI administration of creating persistent "mental and administrative barriers." Satyaveer Dagur, the union president, pointed out the stark disparity in treatment: while all other unions and associations on the PGIMER campus have designated office spaces, their union has been denied any such facility.
This perceived neglect extends to a broader culture of insensitivity. The employees stressed the absence of any sensitisation programmes for officials, leading to frequent instances of inappropriate behaviour. They also lamented that decisions taken in meetings concerning disability-related issues rarely see implementation, leaving their fundamental problems perpetually unresolved.
A Struggle for Dignity and Legal Rights
The protest on December 3, a day globally proclaimed by the UN in 1992 to promote disability rights, was described as a last resort. The union stated that repeated appeals to the administration had been ignored, forcing them to escalate their demonstration. "We were left with no option but to take our protest to the streets," a union representative asserted.
The employees have vowed to continue their struggle until all rights, benefits, and facilities mandated by Indian law are fully ensured. Their protest underscores a painful irony: fighting for the very rights meant to be guaranteed on a day dedicated to celebrating and empowering persons with disabilities. The action at PGIMER serves as a stark reminder of the gap between legislation and ground-level implementation in ensuring equality and dignity for all.
