PM Narendra Modi faced severe criticism for mocking individuals suffering from dyslexia at a video conference at IIT Kharagpur during the finals of the Smart India Hackathon 2019
PM Narendra Modi faced severe criticism for mocking individuals suffering from dyslexia at a video conference at IIT Kharagpur during the finals of the Smart India Hackathon 2019.
A student was talking about her project that aimed at helping children with dyslexia to be creative in spite of their learning difficulties. PM Modi asked the student if the project would help children who are between the ages of 40-50 years. When the student responded in affirmation, responded saying, “The mothers of such children will be very happy in that case.”
The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) issued a statement against PM Modi for his “distasteful” remark and demanded an apology.
NPRD general secretary Muralidharan Vishwanath said the PM’s conduct is uncalled for and his response is totally insensitive as he tried to portray all dyslexic people in a poor light by taking a dig at his political rivals.
“Even during the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign, Narendra Modi had used terms like blind, deaf, lame, etc., to belittle his rivals. It is a reflection of a totally regressive mindset,” he said even as he reminded that Modi had coined the term “divyang” (divine body) be used in place of “viklang” (disabled) for persons with disability in the country.
Coming from a person holding such a high office makes it more unpardonable, said Vishwanath who pointed out that the remarks display scant respect for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and made it a clear offence. The least the PM can do is apologise for his remarks, he asserted.
Instead of answering a question posed by a student, the Prime Minister sought to take potshots at his political rivals and in course made fun of those affected by dyslexia, he said.
The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) condemns the disrespectful and insensitive remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an interaction with students at the Smart India Hackathon 2019 organised by the India Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee yesterday.
Instead of answering a question posed by a student, the Prime Minister sought to take potshots at his political rivals. In an uncalled for and totally insensitive response the Prime Minister tried to portray all dyslexic people in poor light. It is all the more unpardonable as it comes from a person holding such a high office.
And this disgusting attitude comes from a person who had equated disability with divinity and coined the term “divyang”. Even during the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign Narendra Modi had used terms like blind, deaf, lame etc. to belittle his rivals. It is a reflection of a totally regressive mindset.
Some of his political rivals also display the same tendency. Congress President Rahul Gandhi had called the PM schizophrenic, in the not too distant past. A hue of other political leaders have also exhibited a similar attitude.
The PM should under no circumstances should be making such a remark. It also displays scant respect for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 according to which this constitutes an offence. The least the PM can do is apologies for his remarks.
(Muralidharn)
General Secretary
Leaders and other Twitter users slammed PM Modi for his crass comment on people suffering from dyslexia.
Former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his purported political potshot at Congress president Rahul Gandhi while answering a question by a student on dyslexia.
Targeting Modi, Siddaramaiah tweeted: “Just came across a video of our @narendramodi taking political potshots using the name of dyslexic people. Shame on you Modi!! You just can’t go below this. Your insensitivity can’t be washed away by dipping in any river. They may be slow in learning but not heartless like you.”
Karnataka Congress president Dinesh Gundu Rao also hit out at Modi for the reported jibe.
Just came across a video of our @narendramodi taking political potshots using the name of dyslexic people.
Shame on you Modi!!
You just can't go below this. Your insensitivity can't be washed away by dipping in any river. They may be slow in learning but not heartless like you.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) March 4, 2019
CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury called the Modi’s remarks “shameful and distressing”.
Shameful and distressing. Some of us have dyslexic or disabled relatives, friends, children and parents. Sattar saal mein pehli baar, a person with this crassness occupies the chair of the PM. Enough, Mr Modi. Yeh hain sanskar aapke? https://t.co/8wBvtjPy7q
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) March 3, 2019
Aam Aadmi Party leader Preeti Sharma Menon said that as a parent, she would not want her kid to listen to a speaker who used dyslexia as a slur.
God! When we thought @narendramodi cd not go any lower, he still manages to stoop.
As a parent I do not want my kid to listen to a speaker who'd use dyslexia as a slur and here our Prime Minister uses dyslexia to insult @RahulGandhi
This is wrong on so many levels!!! https://t.co/gQ2IZVvY0m— Preeti Sharma Menon (@PreetiSMenon) March 3, 2019
It is utterly disgusting for a PM to make fun of dyslexia for his distasteful political humor. Challenging the earth’s core for a new low here! pic.twitter.com/VbBYFzp8kV
— Aakash Mawal ✋ (@aakashmawal) March 3, 2019
The Prime Minister of India keeping it classy as ever. Cracking a joke about dyslexia to target a political opponent. pic.twitter.com/qLoQMwKxVH
— Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) March 3, 2019
Making fun of Dyslexia to target political opponent. There is no low which is too Low for Narendra Modi. Worse are the students who were clapping but cant blame them. When the PM of the Nation is such a Cheap Man, they had to entertain him https://t.co/bJ7apIlpup
— Joy (@Joydas) March 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/RoshanKrRai/status/1101904751678042112
I know someone who has lived with dyslexia – and I know others who have made valiant efforts to build their lives despite the disability. Modi's remarks were in poor taste, but hardly unexpected, given his track record. https://t.co/lzcPRrm7rB
— saliltripathi (वो बनाये परिवार, हमें पसंद रविवार) (@saliltripathi) March 3, 2019
By making fun of Specific Learning Disabilities, our PM has just reinforced a stereotype. Sadly, it happened at “World’s biggest open innovation model” (as per HRD Minister). In a display of insensitive portrayal, the entire audience erupted in laughter. #Dyslexia #SIH2019 1/n https://t.co/YU3Lw6q4qo
— Satendra Singh, MD (@drsitu) March 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/iJasOberoi/status/1101938764274790400
This guy has taken the humour out of life by ensuring even stand up comics get abused and threatened by his IT cell on a daily basis … so much so that any and all humour is now frowned upon … including “dyslexia humour” which is seldom funny https://t.co/GnIoJulYW5
— INJESTERS 🇮🇳 (@rockyandmayur) March 3, 2019
Cant believe. PRIME MINISTER making fun of Dyslexia !!https://t.co/uj8OmUi3eO
— Vinod Kapri (@vinodkapri) March 2, 2019
source: NH
