Disability groups condemn Duraimurugan’s ‘derogatory’ remarks on persons with disabilities

Disability groups on Tuesday (April 9, 2025) criticised Tamil Nadu Minister for Water Resources Duraimurugan for purportedly referring to persons with disabilities “in a derogatory manner” during a recent public meeting.

Disability groups on Tuesday (April 9, 2025) criticised Tamil Nadu Minister for Water Resources Duraimurugan for purportedly referring to persons with disabilities “in a derogatory manner” during a recent public meeting.

Nethrodaya, a social service institution based in Chennai, has lodged a complaint with the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) in New Delhi over the Minister’s statements. “The derogatory remarks by the Minster, holding a key position in the State government, go against the very principle of social justice being championed by the Dravidian model government,” the complaint said.

“The insulting and degrading of the community is highly objectionable and unjustified. We request the CCPD to initiate legal action against the elected representative for his wilful derogatory remarks,” the group added.

The Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC) also condemned the Minister’s remarks. In a statement, they demanded that Mr. Duraimurugan publicly apologise to the people and should retract his statement. A member of the Disability Rights Alliance Smitha Sadasivan said, “The Minister making ridiculous statements in reference to persons with disabilities is a crime as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Please take strict action against him and also educate all politicians.”