Condemn Arrest of Disabled Protesters in Tamilnadu
National Platform For The Rights of the Disabled
April 22, 2025
Press Statement
Condemn Arrests of Disabled Protesters in Tamil Nadu
The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) strongly condemns the repressive and undemocratic actions of the Tamil Nadu Police and Government against thousands of disabled rights activists who sought to assemble peacefully in Chennai on April 22, 2025. The protest, organized by the Tamil Nadu affiliate of the NPRD, the Tamilnadu Association for the Rights of all Types of Differently Abled & Caregivers (TARATDAC) was called to highlight long-standing demands related to livelihood, employment, and social security—demands that are both just and urgent.
They were demanding an enhancement in pension to Rs. 6,000; provision of jobs to all those who register for work under the MNREGA; implementation of the guidelines regarding relaxation in working hours for disabled etc. The DMK government in an insensitive manner had enhanced the working hours for disabled persons from four to eight hours under the scheme.
In an outrageous display of highhandedness, numerous district-level leaders of the TARATDAC were placed under house arrest on the night of April 21. Furthermore, in a blatant attempt to crush the mobilization, nearly 10,000 disabled individuals en route to Chennai were either barred from boarding public transport or forcibly deboarded mid-journey. In adjoining Chengalpattu and Chennai alone, disabled protestors were detained and confined in around twenty different locations. Such detentions have also taken place in adjoining districts of Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur.
Despite this crackdown, around 8,000 disabled individuals courageously reached Chennai to make their voices heard. In Chennai, NPRD Working President Namburajan, Vice President Jansi Rani, Treasurer K R Chakravarthi and Wilson, President of TARATDAC, were among those arrested by police attached to the Anna Square Police Station.
This action by the Tamil Nadu Police directed at one of the most marginalized sections of our society, is utterly reprehensible and unacceptable. Peaceful protest is a constitutional right. The Tamil Nadu government must immediately order the release of all those detained and cease its repressive tactics. It should engage in a meaningful dialogue with disabled leaders aimed at resolving the issues that they are highlighting.
(Muralidharan)
General Secretary
National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD)
36, Pt. Ravishankar Shulka Lane, New Delhi 110001
Tel. 9879768543; email: npr...@gmail.com