A police complaint has been filed against senior bureaucrat Smita Sabharwal following her controversial remarks questioning the necessity of the disability quota in civil services. Ms. Sabharwal, who serves as the Member-Secretary of the Telangana Finance Commission, has faced widespread criticism for suggesting that the demands of the allied services do not warrant such a provision.
The complaint, lodged at the Ibrahimpatnam Police Station by Jangaiah, the state president of the Vikalangula Hakkula Raksha Porata Samiti, describes Ms. Sabharwal’s comments as deeply disrespectful towards the specially-abled community. Jangaiah, an activist for disability rights, expressed that Sabharwal’s remarks were not only insensitive but also discriminatory.
In a tweet that sparked the controversy, Smita Sabharwal questioned, “The nature of the #AIS (IAS/IPS/IFoS) is fieldwork, long taxing hours, and listening first hand to people’s grievances, which requires physical fitness. Why does this premier service need this quota in the first place?” She further cited examples of professions such as airline pilots and surgeons that do not have similar quotas, implying that physical fitness is paramount in these roles.
Former bureaucrat Bala Latha was among those who condemned Sabharwal’s remarks. Latha criticized the comments as inhumane and highly discriminatory, particularly highlighting Ms. Sabharwal’s rhetorical question, “Does an airline hire a pilot with a disability? Or would you trust a surgeon with a a disability?” Latha demanded that Sabharwal retract her statements and apologize to the differently-abled community.
Amidst the backlash, Sabharwal attempted to clarify her position with a subsequent tweet, urging rights activists to examine why the quota has not yet been implemented in the IPS, IFoS, and certain Defence sectors. She asserted, “My limited point is that the IAS is no different. To live in an inclusive society is a dream that we all subscribe to. Insensitivity has no place in my mind.”
However, this clarification has done little to quell the outrage. A separate complaint was lodged with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) by Bakka Judson, former chairperson of the Andhra Pradesh Vikalangula Cooperative Finance Corporation. Additionally, another complaint has been filed with the Department of Personnel and Training.
The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) also condemned Ms. Sabharwal’s remarks. NPRD General Secretary Muralidharan characterized her comments as deeply biased and reflective of prejudices against the specially-abled.
The controversy comes amid an ongoing debate over allegations of misuse of quotas for the specially-abled in job selections, further intensifying the scrutiny and discussion surrounding this sensitive issue.
