Railway Ministry replaces ‘mentally retarded’ with ‘mental incapacity’ in concession kinds

“We welcome the shift from the ‘R-word’ to ‘mental incapacity’, however the Railways remains to be engaged in piecemeal corrections,” the director and professor on the College Faculty of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital stated. File
| Picture Credit score: The Hindu

The Railway Ministry has determined to interchange the time period “mentally retarded individuals” with “individuals with mental incapacity” in concession kinds issued to individuals with disabilities in search of reductions in practice journeys.

“The Ministry of Railways has determined to interchange the time period ‘mentally retarded individuals who can’t journey with out an escort’ with ‘individuals with mental incapacity who can’t journey with out an escort’,” stated a ministry round dated Might 9 addressed to the principal chief industrial managers of all of the railway zones.

Officers stated phrases like “mentally retarded” have unfavorable connotations moreover sounding offensive.

“The transfer was lengthy overdue. The brand new concession certificates kinds will incorporate the modifications from June 1,” a railway official stated.

Nevertheless, the round additionally enclosed a revised performa of the concession certificates kind, which used phrases akin to “handicapped” and “divyangjan” for different disabilities, elevating considerations amongst incapacity rights advocates and activists.

“The concession certificates kind for orthopaedically handicapped/paraplegic (particular person/sufferers) who can’t journey with out an escort/individuals with mental disabilities who can’t journey with out an escort/individuals with listening to and speech impairment completely (each afflictions collectively in the identical particular person)…,” the revised proforma learn, specifying three classes of individuals with disabilities who’re supplied journey concessions.

Activists, whereas welcoming the modifications and saying they need to have been applied earlier, identified some “objectionable” phrases that also stay within the revised concession kind.

“The Ministry of Railways is at all times sluggish to reply, however higher late than by no means. The Supreme Court docket has already issued a handbook on inclusive language,” they stated.

“We welcome the shift from the ‘R-word’ to ‘mental incapacity’, however the Railways remains to be engaged in piecemeal corrections,” Satendra Singh, director and professor on the College Faculty of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, respectively, stated.

“Even the revised concession kinds proceed to make use of euphemistic and controversial phrases like ‘handicapped’ and ‘divyangjan’,” Mr. Singh stated.

Some activists stated a earlier order from the chief commissioner for individuals with disabilities banned expressions akin to “handicapped”, whereas the United Nations Conference on the Rights of Individuals with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which India has ratified, additionally makes use of the time period “individuals with disabilities”.

The round, stating different provisions, stated, “The certificates already issued within the outdated proforma earlier than 01.06.2025 shall stay legitimate until the expiry of the validity interval. There shall be no change within the railway concession certificates for ‘blindness’.”

“Zonal railways could print the revised proforma and make it accessible in any respect areas/stations to keep away from inconvenience. Mandatory directions shall be issued to all involved,” it added.