News

Volume 3 Issue 8 - April 15, 2005

No progress made in physically disabled I.I.T. scientist case

DNIS News Network - Several days after Dr S.K. Jain's case was broadcast by media, I.I.T. has not been able to reasonably account for its actions and neither has it been able to retrace and correct any of them.

A follow-up on Dr S K Jain's case has some dismal revelations. The disabled professor from the Indian Institute of Technology (I.I.T.), Delhi, who was barred from using his office and was harassed by officials -- just because he asked to make his laboratory accessible to disabled people -- finds himself and his future in a state of limbo, with absolutely no development being made on the issue. Javed Abidi, Executive Director, National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (N.C.P.E.D.P.), had drawn the attention of the media to issue of injustice and forced I.I.T. into a position of accountability.

In response to the newspaper articles on the issue, I.I.T.-Delhi described the details of the incident as misleading and incorrect. Institute Director Prof. R.S. Sirohi denied media reports citing a certain remark by a professor, Prof. M.G.K. Menon, who had allegedly said, "I.I.T. is a premier institute of excellence and not a home for the disabled."

Apart from this response, I.I.T. has not made any move to sort the case. It has not restored Dr. Jain's office and has not made any provisions to make his office accessible. IT has also not made any arrangements to reissue his salary, which has been pending for four years.

Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh assured the Rajya Sabha that he was aware of the case and would ensure that justice be done. N.C.P.E.D.P. has asked President Kalam to intervene in the case and help restore Dr. Jain's office and respect.