SC asks DU to consider plea of visually impaired students

The Supreme Court has asked Delhi University to address grievances of visually impaired students regarding its proposed four-year degree course.

Disposing of a PIL filed by the NGO “Sambhavana,” a bench of justices B S Chauhan and Dipak Misra asked Delhi University to address the problems of the visually challenged students in an “apposite” manner, showing more focus, empathy and sensitivity.

“When the university has thought of imparting education in a different way, it has to bear in mind the need of sensitivity and expected societal responsiveness. A visually impaired student is entitled to receive special treatment. Under the constitutional frame, the state has to have policies for such categories of people,” the court said in a detailed verdict released on Thursday.

The bench reminded the university about Article 41 of the Constitution which makes it imperative for the authorities to look into the grievances of the visually impaired.
“Education for the visually impaired students is a great hope for them and such a hope is the brightest bliss in their lives. History has recorded with pride that some men with visual impairment have shown high intellectual prowess,” the bench noted “The anguish and despondency in the life of Milton, the famous English poet, did not deter him from carrying out the mission of his life.

Lack of vision could not destroy his will power. Needless to say that he had the support of society. Ancient sage Ashtavakra had categorically stated that the blind man has the first right on the road. Thus, emphasis has always been laid on the visually impaired for many a reason,” it said. Thus, the empowered committee of the university should give primacy to the necessities of the visually impaired students, the court said.

Advocate Pankaj Kumar Sinha, representing the NGO, claimed that Delhi University did not put in place adequate infrastructural arrangements for library and laboratories, accessible reading materials and trained teachers. Appearing for Delhi University, senior counsel Pinky Anand submitted that the empowered committee had taken care of the needs of such students.

Stating that they were not experts on the issue, the bench permitted the NGO to submit a fresh representation stating its grievances and views to the committee within three days, which would then take a call on the issue within a week.