Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has bly condemned a recent statement made by a political leader, calling the use of the term “lame horse” not only unbecoming but also deeply offensive to people with disabilities.
New Delhi: Recent political discourse has been heated following a statement by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who used the phrase "lame horse." Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has responded sharply, criticizing the statement. He asserted that it is not only a breach of political decorum but also an insult to the dignity of people with disabilities.
The Importance of Decorum in Language
Responding to the statement in a press conference, Jyotiraditya Scindia said, "This statement is not only against political dignity but also against the respect of millions of people with disabilities who are progressing in life despite challenging circumstances. Political disagreement does not mean we should crush human sensibilities."
He further added that such language not only weakens democracy but also creates an atmosphere of insensitivity and disrespect in society.
Outrage within the Disability Community
Following Scindia's statement, organizations representing people with disabilities also condemned the remark. Ramesh Chaurasia, president of the 'Divyang Ekta Manch,' said, "Personal attacks and derogatory comparisons in politics are extremely unfortunate. Using terms like 'lame horse' causes mental harm to people with disabilities." He demanded that the Election Commission and the Human Rights Commission take cognizance of this statement.
Questions Raised on Decency in Politics
Political experts believe this incident highlights the repeated breach of decorum in the language used in election speeches. While targeting opponents is one thing, when this targets a vulnerable section of society, the nature of politics becomes distorted. A senior journalist stated, "When political parties use abusive language on public platforms merely for votes, they hurt the soul of democracy."
Scindia also emphasized that political discourse today should be fought on the level of ideas, not through insults and abuses. He appealed to all political parties to maintain the decorum of language and avoid using words that demean any particular group.
