Editor,
In the report published in your newspaper (‘Cong won’t have a cakewalk in prez polls’, July 7th, 2012) the presidential candidate Mr P A Sangma has told reporters in Ahmedabad that – “India should have a President, who is not blind, dumb and deaf. India should have a thinking and a functional President.” Sangma said this when he was asked about his views on the top post.
Mr Sangma has been in politics for a long time and is supposed to have been representing ‘people / citizens’ including the ones mentioned by him. The disabled people he mentions so derogatively are quite capable of perceiving, understanding and communicating with the world around them – there are many visible examples in his own state, country and the world.
As a longstanding Member of Parliament and now a presidential candidate, Mr. Sangma should realise that freedom of expression does not mean that one has the right to insult others, which is an infringement of others’ rights (we are also aware that many keep their opinions to themselves). Mr Sangma does not deserve to be a candidate for the president of this country. To begin with his ‘party’ (the game one plays to be nominated as a presidential candidate) should take strong action against him – just throw him out. How are some national parties supporting him?
Many of us are upset and feel terribly insulted by the remarks made by him. A responsible and sensitive President is a role model for the entire nation, which Mr. Sangma has already failed to be. Although we, in the disability sector, are tired of facile face saving apologies, there should be an unconditional apology from him.
We strongly protest and demand an immediate and unconditional apology from Mr Sangma, and to begin with withdrawal of his candidature as President of our country. The disability sector demands and deserves the respect of the National leaders and especially from the contenders to the most honourable position in our country.
Yours etc.,
Gautam Chaudhury
Kolkata 700104
PA Sangma’s irresponsible comments
Editor,
The news feature (ST July 7, 2012) wherein Mr P A Sangma was quoted as follows: “India should have a President, who is not blind, dumb and deaf. India should have a thinking and functioning President…..” is certainly a slap in the face of more than 70 million persons with disability across the length and breadth of India. In fact we are awaiting the day when persons with disability will have the opportunity of holding the highest offices in the country, as has happened in so many countries-thus celebrating differences. President Roosevelt of USA has been a wheelchair user, Education Ministers in both the UK and Spain have in the past been persons with visual impairment. One of the most influential persons of the 20th century was the late Helen Keller who was both deaf and blind. Closer home, Dr. P. Pincha ( from Assam) our present Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disability under the PWD Act 1995 is totally blind, Dr. A Mohit, Director – National Institute of the Visually Handicapped, Dehra Dun is totally blind. Closer, home Padmashree Bertha Dkhar and CNN-IBN Real Heroes Awardee and Member of the National Monitoring Committee on Education of SCs, STs, Minorities and vulnerable groups is visually impaired. And across Meghalaya you have Lyngdohs, Maraks, Tangs, Diengdohs, Sangmas……… young people with disabilities who are working and contributing to society. Such examples can be multiplied hundreds of times around the country. If I’m not mistaken they are all “thinking and functioning people!”
Yours etc.,
Carmo Noronha,
Bethany Society,
Shillong
Tribal and religious flag untenable
Editor,
This is in response to Albert Thyrniang’s letter titled “Hobson’s choice for P.A.Sangma”(ST July 6, 2012). Each and every Indian should feel extremely proud of his/her respective language, race, state or religion. Everyone is well within his/her right to be proud of illustrious sons and daughters of his/her own community. But one certainly holds no right to claim any official post or political position in the national scenario just because he/she hails from a certain state, community or religious group. India is yet to see any Prime Minister/President who is a Garo, Christian, tribal or hailing from Meghalaya. The same holds true for the Bengali community also. Along with this correspondent, maximum Bengalis are eagerly waiting to see a Bengali entering the Raisina Hills. But neither Pranab Mukherjee nor his community can demand that post by virtue of being Bengalis only. This is the sole reason why Mukherjee has never highlighted his Bengali credentials while asking for votes after he got nominated for the Presidential election. Rather he is banking on his merit and deeds only. In contrast, P A Sangma is continuously flagging his religious and tribal credentials while expecting the electoral college of the whole country to vote for him! Now if he is engaged in a mission of making his religious and tribal status the “trump card”, why would the others vote for him? After all he is not running for Presidentship of any Christian institution or tribal outfit, but of a multi-lingual multi-religious secular democratic country! Unless Mr.P.A.Sangma learns to put emphasis on his Indian-ness, his own personal achievements, traits and what he could offer the nation as its President, he is bound to face criticism from all quarters.
Yours etc.,
Kajal Chatterjee,
Kolkata – 114