Summary:
Meerut: As election frenzy sweeps the country, 25 specially abled people have taken nomination forms from the Meerut collectorate on Monday and have demanded reserved category seats for them. They even use us during electoral awareness campaigns, but when it comes to fighting the elections we are left behind just because we are 'disabled'.” The downtrodden are given the chance so that their voices are not muzzled and that the rich and powerful can't suppress them with muscle power. They have also submitted a memorandum to the DM to be forwarded to the President of India and the chief election commission for inclusion of seats for the specially abled within the reserved category.Initially, the group of 25 specially abled were prevented from procuring nomination forms but later they were allowed to do so by the administration.“A reserved category seat is meant to give chance to the suppressed lot of society to elect their own representative. Why can’t such a provision be made for the disabled as well, as abled contestants do not allow us to remain relevant in poll battles,” said Nitin Bhardwaj, one of the wannabe contestants.Devender Kumar, who also procured nomination paper, said “The administration always seeks our help in its programmes and functions where we are showcased as beneficiaries of government schemes..