State Level Association of the Deaf has been advocating for the rights of Deaf in Maharashtra. ISH news had released the video about SLAD's 7 demands.  You can watch the video on this link.

On 25th August 2023, Deaf people from all over Maharashtra came to Mumbai for a day long protest. The Deaf demanded Chief Minister Ekanth Shinde to meet them and handle their demands. However, the CM couldn't come. An official from another department met the Deaf protestors and said that CM Shinde was unwell and couldn't come. Deaf were disappointed. The official took the letter and assured that a meeting would be arranged within a week and the Deaf can submit their demands to the CM. However, despite reminders, no meeting was arranged and the officials kept giving excuses. The SLAD board was upset that the Deaf had been suffering for long and travelled for the protest all the way from their villages.

So, SLAD organized another protest march on 10th October 2023 in which over 2000 Deaf from Maharashtra participated. The Deaf gathered at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and the police noticed that a huge crowd had gathered. The protestors were wearing posters with messages written on them. They wore traditional caps and waved flags. Passersby were shocked. The Deaf demanded that CM Shinde be called for a meeting and that he should listen to their 7 demands. Police were helpless and the Deaf protestors banged steel plates while protesting. Deaf group then moved to Azad Maidan while the police tried arranging a meeting with CM Shinde and his officials. The Deaf protestors were informed to come for a meeting 3 days later, that is on 13th October. SLAD members refused to wait any more as they had already been waiting since months. The Official from the concerned department had not taken any action on the demands submitted earlier. Deaf protestors demanded to have a meeting with the CM on the same day and if not, the protestors would continue sitting there. Police were helpless in front of the Deaf protests. Later, the police tried to explain to the Deaf that a meeting would be arranged soon and asked them to go home. However, the Deaf were adamant and demanded that a meeting with CM Shinde be arranged.

After hours of waiting, the SLAD Board members were called for a meeting in Mantralaya. Finally, the SLAD Board members met CM Shinde and briefed him about their demands. They also informed him about the letter submitted to the official from the department on 25th August and no action being taken. Shockingly, CM Shinde said that he was not informed about the letter. CM Shinde slammed his Secretary for not informing him about the Deaf protests. The SLAD members were shocked to hear this. CM Shinde asked the Deaf to forget the past and asked them to submit their demands. The Chief Minister went through the demands and made the Secretary responsible for taking action on the same within 7 days. Two representatives from SLAD would be in touch and take updates. The CM was upset as it was shameful that the Secretary had not taken any action for 2 months and asked him to work on the demands within 7 days. CM Shinde said that the SLAD board is kind hearted and working for the Deaf so they can contact him directly for any issues. Secretary was asked to start the processes accordingly within 7 days. SLAD Board also informed that CM Eknath Shinde showed his interest in learning Indian Sign Language. Wonderful! SLAD demanded that male wardens in Deaf girl's hostel be replaced with female wardens as there have been molestation cases. Along with this, various other demands were submitted which are being processed.

However, SLAD General Secretary Pradeep More cautioned the Deaf against premature celebration. He asked the Deaf to wait for 7 days to see if any action is taken or not. Lets wait and watch if months of hard work and advocacy pays off this time.

Tags

• deaf news
• eknath shinde
• slad protest

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