Around 40 persons with disabilities staged a protest at Arapalayam Cross Road in Madurai on Thursday evening, accusing the Union Budget of ignoring their welfare and basic rights.
The demonstration was organised by the Tamil Nadu All Types of Persons with Disabilities and Caregivers Rights Association (TARATDAC), which alleged that the budget failed to provide adequate funding for disability-focused schemes, employment opportunities, and implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.
Protesters also criticised the Centre for not revising the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme, which continues to provide only Rs 300 per month despite rising living costs. The association has demanded increased budgetary allocations, stronger social security measures, and concrete steps to ensure accessibility and inclusion. So far, no government officials have issued a response to the concerns raised by the protesters.
Disabled Community Slams Budget
The protest at Arapalayam Cross Road brought together activists, caregivers and persons with disabilities who expressed deep disappointment with the Union Budget. Organised by TARATDAC, the gathering aimed to draw attention to what participants described as a complete lack of focus on the needs of disabled citizens. Demonstrators held placards and raised slogans demanding justice, dignity and equal opportunities.
Speaking at the protest, A Balamurugan, district secretary of TARATDAC, said the budget did not reflect any serious commitment to improving the lives of persons with disabilities. He alleged that existing support systems were being weakened rather than strengthened.
“There is reduced allocation for the 100-day employment scheme, which many persons with disabilities depend on for survival. At the same time, there is no clear funding to implement the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act or to improve accessibility in public spaces,” he said.
Balamurugan added that the absence of targeted employment initiatives was particularly worrying. “Without proper job opportunities and skill development programmes, persons with disabilities are pushed further to the margins. The budget has completely failed to address this,” he said. Protesters argued that economic policies must actively promote inclusion instead of leaving vulnerable groups to struggle on their own.
Pension Stagnation Adds to Hardships
One of the strongest concerns raised by the association was the failure of the government to increase financial assistance under the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme. For years, beneficiaries have been receiving only Rs 300 per month from the Centre an amount that activists say is painfully inadequate in today’s economic climate.
“In the present conditions of rising prices and inflation, Rs 300 is not even enough for a day’s expenses, let alone a month,” Balamurugan pointed out. He called for an urgent revision of the pension amount to ensure a basic standard of living for persons with disabilities, many of whom are unable to secure regular employment.
Several protesters shared similar sentiments, stating that lack of financial security remains one of their biggest challenges. Many depend on caregivers and family members for daily needs, while others struggle to afford medical care, assistive devices and transportation. Activists argued that increasing the pension and providing comprehensive social security measures are essential steps toward empowering the disabled community.
The association also highlighted the need for better implementation of existing laws. While India has progressive legislation such as the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, activists say poor funding and weak enforcement have prevented these laws from making a real difference on the ground. Without dedicated budgetary support, they argued, rights remain only on paper.
Long-Standing Demands for Inclusion and Support
The Madurai protest is part of a larger and ongoing movement by disability rights groups across the country demanding greater attention from policymakers. Over the years, organisations have repeatedly called for higher allocations in health, education, employment and accessibility infrastructure. However, activists feel that these issues rarely receive the priority they deserve in national planning.
In Tamil Nadu, several initiatives have been introduced to improve access and representation for persons with disabilities, including welfare schemes and efforts to include them in local governance. Yet, protesters said that state-level measures alone cannot compensate for inadequate national funding. They stressed that the Union Budget must play a central role in ensuring uniform and effective support for disabled citizens across India.
TARATDAC has put forward a list of demands, including increased funding for disability welfare schemes, job creation programmes tailored for persons with disabilities, better accessibility in public buildings and transport, and stronger mechanisms to monitor implementation of rights-based laws. The association warned that it would continue to organise protests and campaigns until meaningful action is taken.
For many participants, the demonstration was not just about one budget but about years of neglect and invisibility. “We are citizens of this country and deserve equal respect and opportunities,” one protester said. “Budgets should reflect our needs too.”
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The protest in Madurai is a powerful reminder that economic policies cannot be truly progressive unless they address the concerns of the most vulnerable sections of society. Persons with disabilities continue to face barriers in education, employment, healthcare and public life. When budgets overlook these realities, they deepen existing inequalities instead of reducing them.
Financial allocations for disability welfare are not acts of charity they are investments in human dignity and social justice. A country that aspires to inclusive growth must ensure that every citizen, regardless of physical or mental ability, has the resources and opportunities to live with independence and respect. Revising outdated pensions, strengthening employment schemes and fully implementing disability rights laws are essential steps in that direction.
