PM Narendra Modi suggests use of 'divyang' for persons with disability in his 'Mann ki Baat'

NEW DELHI: For the second time this month, PM Narendra Modi on Sunday suggested that the term ' divyang' (divine body) instead of ' viklang' be used for persons with disability.

This proposed change in nomenclature is being worked out at the ministry of social justice which handles disability affairs. Officials, however say there is a lack of consensus among consultants, activists and government functionaries on the proposed shift in terminology, and that the change from 'viklang' to 'divyang' needs to be widely consulted before it gets through.

Minister for Social Justice and empowerment Thaavar Chand Gehlot, however told ET that the PM's suggestion of using 'divyang' for people with disabilities has been taken utmost seriously and is already the subject of ministry level discussions. "We have already started discussions on this. Divyang is a very good word. The PM has himself suggested it. We will consult the PMO in the coming days to see how this can be taken forward," he added.
PM Modi in his Mann ki baat address on Sunday said, "We see a person's disability with our eyes. But our interaction tells us the person has an extra power. Then I thought, in our country, instead of using the word 'viklaang,' we should use the term 'divyaang.' These are people who have a limb or several limbs with divine powers which we don't have," he said. On December 3, at the launch of Accessible India - an effort to make public places in the country accessible to all, he had suggested the same.

The department of disability affairs has already had two meetings with experts with regard to this, ever since PM spoke about it first.

Officials told ET most experts and activists consulted are not in favour of such a change but to get the process started, they have already issued orders for the removal of "physically handicapped" from the names of over 200 government institutions. "We are using impaired instead of handicapped to start with. Nomenclature changes take time. We also need to look at the norms of UNCRPD (Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities)," an official said.

A note to the ministry recorded after a meeting with activists on the issue says the nomenclature needs to be "worked out along with sincere efforts to drive in equal access for all." "There was no insistence from the PMO on the change in nomenclature but when the PM suggested it earlier this month, we discussed it with experts, disability activists and people head NGOs for people with disability . Many feel there should be no rush in this. Not everyone is comfortable with the idea of using divyang," said a senior official.

Ministry officials pointed out it took several months and consultations before the word empowerment was made part of the ministry's name. "We have had several nomenclature changes in the recent past - we use locomotive disability now, and instead of using 'disabled' we use 'persons with disability.' These have come by after several consultations. The same process needs to followed here too," an official said.

Disability rights activists said the government could have demonstrated its commitment towards the disabled population by passing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Bill in this parliament session. "Anything that brings positivity in our thoughts and intent is very important but action is more important. We need to focus on concerted action and not get carried away by words," said Jayashree Ramesh, director, Academy for sever Handicaps and Autism.

Akhil Paul, founder Director of Sense India that work in the areas of deafblindness said using different names is not going to help people with disability unless the government and society take positive action for them to be recognised as equal citizens. "Also, there is nothing divine about a polio-infected leg or a blind man," he added.