Srinagar, Sept 21: The opening day of the autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday brought the accessibility of the legislature into focus after Congress MLA from Anantnag, Peerzada Mohammad Syed, was seen requiring assistance to reach his designated seat inside the House.
The 71-year-old legislator was assisted by several people while climbing the stairs leading to the Assembly chamber. The scene was visible from the media gallery, where aides were seen helping Syed negotiate the steps and move towards his seat.
Syed initially received assistance from two people. However, as they struggled to help him climb the stairs, more people joined in, including an Assembly marshal, reported news 18.
Wearing a traditional karakul cap, Syed eventually reached his seat after considerable effort.
The episode has raised questions about the accessibility of the Assembly premises for legislators who may have difficulty negotiating stairs or require mobility assistance due to age, disability, injury or other physical limitations.
The issue assumes significance given the age profile of the House. According to an analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) of the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election results, 61 of the 90 elected MLAs were aged between 51 and 80 years.
The oldest elected member was Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, then 80, while Syed was among the septuagenarians elected to the House.
Following subsequent by-elections and changes in the composition of the Assembly, available age records indicate that around 58 of the 90 members are currently above the age of 50.
For a legislature representing people from across Jammu and Kashmir, accessibility is particularly important for ensuring that elected representatives with mobility limitations can enter the premises and participate in proceedings without having to depend on multiple people to negotiate stairs.
The Union government’s Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities has also included government offices and public buildings among spaces where barrier-free access is to be ensured.
The incident has consequently brought renewed attention to the need for accessible infrastructure within the J&K Assembly, particularly provisions that can facilitate independent and dignified movement for legislators requiring mobility assistance. (News 18)
