“An equal citizen but denied equal opportunities”, a disabled aspirant promises like a ‘woman in revolt’ to become a teacher in life with or without UGC NET

“I am not giving up on my ambition of becoming a teacher but I may give up on NET”, 25-year-old Kavya Mukhija is in distress after the Ministry of Education, Government of India decided to scrap the UGC National Eligibility Test on Wednesday over suspicion of paper leak. She is one of the nine lakh aspirants who had appeared for the exam on Tuesday, a day before it was scrapped. While others may have similar feelings of disgust but for wheelchair-bound Kavya, the anger also reflected the physical challenge she would have to endure, all over again, if she decided to reappear for the exam.

Born with ‘Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita’ a rare genetic disorder of a medical condition of weak muscles from birth that doesn’t allow a person to stand for long or move around without assistance, Kavya has been a fighter since her early days, her physical disability never became the reason for her inabilities. “I have never taken life for granted but it is sad, even after laws are in place our system takes disabled people for granted”, said Kavya, livid after what she experienced at the examination centre. She had put out a social media post narrating the ordeal, as how the exam centre was not conducive for people with disabilities and how even the washroom had stairs, impossible for a wheelchair-bound person to climb.

“The exam centre was in Rohini New Delhi, two hours from our house in Lajpatnagar. The road leading to the exam centre was broken, impossible for a wheelchair to roll down even with assistance. After multiple requests, they allowed our car inside the school compound. The corridor leading to the classroom has a small ramp and four people literally lifted my wheelchair and put it on the floor. The classroom benches were attached to the desk, impossible for me to get in. Then the people out there misbehaved with my mother and didn’t allow her inside even though she is my primary caregiver. What else do you want to happen to you while appearing for the exam? I went through everything and now the exam has been cancelled. Can’t figure out which was a bitter joke- what I encountered at the centre or now that the exams have been cancelled”, Kavya said but she wore a smile on her face, trying her best to be indifferent to such insensitivities around.

The National Testing Agency (NTA), the autonomous government body, that conducts the exams seeks a declaration from specially-abled people, as per the protocol. The declaration allows an aspirant to expect disability friendly attitude and an atmosphere where the exams are held since the rule book has provisions binding as per “Guidelines for conducting written examination for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities above 40% vide letter dated 29 August 2018 from Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment”.

“The Rights of Persons with Disability Act assures persons with disabilities enjoy the right to equality, equal opportunities in life with dignity and respect. But it is not implemented on the ground. We take people with disabilities very casually. There should be penalties imposed if the laws are not followed. We must have people with disabilities in the committee for better sensitisation”, she added.

According to Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Education Minister, the National Cyber Crime agency that falls under the Home Ministry had inputs with prima facie evidence pointing at “the integrity of the examination may have been compromised with”. While the Opposition parties have rebuked the ability of the government to conduct exams, with first the NEET row and now the NET, for several specially-abled people, like Kavya the debate is never about the government’s ability or inability but rather about another shot to opportunity and at what cost.

“ I am an equal citizen but why I am not given equal opportunities”, Kavya signed off, again wearing a smile on her face. She assured that someday, very soon she will become a responsible teacher in the very society she is part of. What complimented further her ‘assuring’ smile was the t-shirt she chose to wear for the interview with News the Truth. It read “Women in Revolt”.​