“We welcome the shift from” R-star “to” intellectual disability “, but the railways are still partial repairs,” said director and professor of University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital. File | Photo Credit: Hind
The Ministry of Railway decided to replace the term “mentally retarded person” for “persons with intellectual disabilities” in concession forms issued to people with disabilities looking for a discount on trains.
“The Ministry of Railways decided to replace the term” mentally retarded persons who cannot travel unaccompanied “with” persons with intellectual disabilities who cannot travel unaccompanied “,” said the Ministry of May 9.
Officials said that the concepts like “mentally retarded” have negative connotations in addition to the sounding offens.
“This step has been delayed for a long time. New forms for concession certificates include changes from 1 June,” the railway clerk said.
However, the circular also closed the revised performance of the concession certificate, which used concepts such as “handicapped” and “Divyangjan” for other disabilities and increased concerns between advocates of the rights of disabilities and activists.
“The concession certificate form for orthopedically affected/paraplegic (person/patients) who cannot travel unaccompanied/persons with intellectual disabilities who cannot travel unaccompanied/persons with disorder of hearing and speech that are completely affected (both agencies together with the same person) …”
Activists, as they welcomed the changes and said they should be implemented earlier, pointed out some “undesirable” words that remain in a revised concession form.
“The Ministry of Railways always responds slowly, but better late than never. The Supreme Court has already issued a manual on inclusive language,” they said.
“Welcome to” R-Slova “to” intellectual disability “, but the railways are still involved in partial repairs,” said Saendra Singh, director and professor at the University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital.
“Even revised concession forms continue to use euphemistic and controversial terms such as” handicapped “and” wizyangjan “,” Mr. Singh said.
Some activists have stated that the previous order from the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities has banned manifestations such as “disability”, while the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which India ratified, also uses the term “people with disabilities”.
The circular stating other provisions stated: “The certificate already issued in the old Profory before 01.06.2025 will remain valid until the expiry of the period of validity. The railroad certificate will not change.
“Zonal railways can print a revised proform and make it available in all places/stations to avoid inconvenience. All participants will be issued necessary instructions,” he added.
Published – May 14, 2025 23:05
