Hyderabad: Smita Sabharwal’s diatribe about inducting PWDs in civil services evokes sharp response
Smita Sabharwal questioned rationality of induction of persons with disabilities, NPRD calls out her 'ableist mindset'
By Kaniza Garari Published on 22 July 2024 3:11 AM GMT
Telangana IAS officer Smita Sabharwal
Hyderabad: Senior Telangana IAS officer Smita Sabharwal's diatribe questioning the rationality of induction of persons with disabilities (PWDs) into civil services has evoked a sharp response from the National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD).
“Smita Sabharwal’s statement only exposes her deep bias and underscores an ableist mindset that is very much prevalent among large sections of the bureaucracy and various tiers of the government, which also tends to equate disability with incapacity,” said Murlidaran V, general secretary of NPRD in a statement.
What did Smita Sabharwal say?
Smita wrote on X: “As this debate blows up – with all due respect to differently-abled. Does an airline hire a pilot with a disability? Or would you trust a surgeon with a disability? The nature of IAS is field work, long taxing hours, and listening firsthand to people’s grievances – which requires physical fitness. Why does this premier service need this Quota in the first place!”
NPRD replies to her statement on X
Replying to Smita Sabharwal, Murlidharan said, “The reservations for the disabled are only for posts identified for each disability. Identification is done based on the capability to carry out the responsibility in the particular post.”
About surgeons, Murlidharan said, “There are many surgeons with disabilities who have been successful in their profession. One amongst them is oncologist Dr Suresh Advani of Mumbai.”
Rights of disabled people
The statement by Smita Sabharwal strikes at the fundamentals of the Directive Principles of State Policy and also militates against the concept of equality and non-discrimination in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016.
Why was the comment made?
The controversy over probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar allegedly forging disability certificates to clear the civil services exam has stirred the issues. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) said that it will conduct a detailed and thorough investigation into this misdemeanor of the Puja Khedkar.”
The Commission has sought to cancel her candidature in connection with the case.
