Showing Respect to National Anthem under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act

Chandigarh, 27^th June, 2017: As per the orders of Hon’ble Supreme Court, the following guidelines are prescribed for persons with disabilities as defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 for showing respect to the National Anthem:-

(i) The persons with locomotor disabilities and other wheel chair users having effected lower limbs shall position himself / herself to the extent of maximum attentiveness and alertness with or without the help of appropriate aids and appliances. For Example a wheel chair bound person with disability shall make the wheel chair static, position himself/herself maintaining the maximum possible alertness physically.

(ii) If the person with disability is on crutch, he/she become stable (non-mobile) to the extent of maximum alertness.

(iii) The person with hearing disability (deaf or hard of hearing) if capable to stand, shall stand with attentiveness. However, there must be appropriate indication on the screen that the National Anthem is being played or sung as the persons with hearing disability are likely to miss the auditory cues. Suitable instructions may be given in the form of captioning as well as in sign language on the screen so that the persons with hearing impairment are well informed that the National Anthem is being played.

(iv) The person with blindness and low visions shall stand up in respect to National Anthem.

(v) The escorts of the persons with disabilities shall stand-up when National Anthem is played.

4. Further in case of person with intellectual disabilities (mental retardation), it is stated that such disability is associated with a condition of arrested or incomplete development of mind, especially characterized by impairment of skills manifested during developmental period, abilities. Mental retardation is a challenging problem, a multi- dimensional phenomenon, involving bio-psycho-social factors. The following characteristics may hamper in showing respect to the National Anthem by these class of persons with disabilities.

(a) Lack of understanding and comprehension.

(b) Associated conditions like epilepsy, Attention Deficit, Hyperactive Disorder, Sensor impairments, Psychiatric illness, motor problems etc.

(c)Most of them will have behavioral problems like flapping of the hands, screaming, shouting, abnormal body movements, difficulty in performing practical task etc.

4.1. While the persons with mild intellectual disability without associated conditions can be trained to understand and respect National Anthem, the same may not hold good in other can be trained to understand and respect National Anthem, the same may not hold good in other cases. Relaxation to such class of person with disabilities may be considered.