Complaint to ECI - Objectional Remarks
National Platform For The Rights of the Disabled
March 30, 2026
Chief Election Commission
Election Commission of India
New Delhi
Dear Sir,
We would like to draw your urgent attention to the highly objectionable and discriminatory remarks made by actor Salim Kumar while addressing a public meeting in support of the Indian National Congress-led United Democratic Front during the ongoing Assembly elections in Kerala.
In a bid to score cheap political points against his opponents, Mr. Salim Kumar resorted to invoking mental health conditions in a derogatory and demeaning manner. Such rhetoric is not merely distasteful, it is deeply harmful also. It reinforces stigma, legitimises prejudice, and normalises the public ridicule of persons with psychosocial disabilities.
Remarks of this nature, particularly when made by influential public figures, have far-reaching consequences. They undermine years of advocacy aimed at securing dignity, equality, and inclusion for persons with disabilities. More importantly, they constitute a clear violation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 as well as the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, both of which recognise the dignity of persons with disabilities and criminalise acts of insult, abuse, and discrimination.
Further, these statements are in direct contravention of the advisory issued by the Election Commission of India (Letter No. 576/3/2023/SDR-Vol. 1 dated December 20, 2023), which explicitly cautions political parties and their representatives against the use of derogatory or ableist language in public discourse. The advisory clearly states that such language amounts to an affront to persons with disabilities and must be strictly avoided. It unambiguously lays down:
“(i) Political parties and their representatives should not use ill/derogatory/insulting references on disability or PwDs during any public statement/speech, in their writings/articles/outreach material or political campaign.
“(ii) Political parties and their representatives should not use disability/PwDs or terms referring to disability/PwDs in the context of human incapacity during any public speech, in their writings/articles or political campaign.
“(iii) Political parties and their representatives should strictly avoid comments related to disabilities/PwDs that may be offensive or perpetuate stereotypes and prejudices”.
The continued use of such rhetoric during election campaigns not only violates statutory protections but also erodes the basic standards of decency and accountability expected in a democratic process.
In light of the above, we demand that the Commission take immediate and exemplary action by prohibiting Mr. Salim Kumar from participating in any form of election campaigning or canvassing. Such action is necessary not only to address this specific violation but also to send a clear and unequivocal message that ableist and discriminatory language has no place in India’s democratic process.
Failure to act decisively will only embolden further violations and deepen the marginalisation of persons with disabilities.
We look forward to your prompt intervention.
Yours truly
(Muralidharan)
General Secretary
N.B. Link to Reports
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