Tamil Nadu Health Minister apologises for remark on disabled students after activists protest

Chennai: Disability rights activists in Chennai have welcomed the apology tendered by Tamil Nadu Health Minister K.G. Arunraj after he used an expression considered derogatory to describe people with disabilities during a government event. The Minister issued the apology on his official X (formerly Twitter) account after a video of his statement went viral on social media.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at the Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super-Speciality Hospital in Omandurar Government Estate, where the Minister was addressing an in-person counselling session for MBBS and BDS admissions. The session was organised for students belonging to special categories, including sports quota, ex-servicemen, and persons with disabilities, as well as those admitted under the 7.5% horizontal reservation category.

According to activists, the Minister used a Tamil expression that has fallen out of common usage and is now widely regarded as offensive when referring to students with disabilities. The word, which was used in the context of addressing the assembled students, was quickly criticised by disability rights groups, who said such language perpetuates stigma and discrimination.

Following the backlash, Dr. Arunraj took to social media to express regret. “Speaking at the event, while referring to students with disabilities, I deeply regret having inadvertently used an expression that should be avoided as per convention,” he wrote on X. He added that he had no intention of hurting anyone’s feelings and reiterated his commitment to the welfare of persons with disabilities.

The apology was met with mixed reactions. Some activists accepted it as a genuine mistake, while others noted that such incidents underline the need for greater sensitivity among public officials. “We appreciate the Minister’s quick response, but it also shows that there is a long way to go in changing attitudes towards disability in our society,” said a representative of a city-based disability rights organisation, speaking on condition of anonymity.

This is not the first time that a public figure in Tamil Nadu has faced criticism for using outdated or offensive terms to describe persons with disabilities. In recent years, several campaigns have been launched to promote respectful language, with disability rights advocates emphasising that words matter in shaping societal perceptions.

The State government has, in the past, taken steps to improve accessibility and inclusivity in education and healthcare. The counselling session itself was part of efforts to ensure that students from reserved categories receive equal opportunities in medical education. However, activists argue that such measures must go hand-in-hand with a broader cultural shift, including the use of dignified language in official communications.

Dr. Arunraj, who represents the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), has been in charge of the Health and Family Welfare Department since 2021. His statement at the event was intended to encourage the students and assure them of government support. The Minister’s office did not issue any further comment beyond the social media apology.

Legal experts point out that while there is no specific law penalising the casual use of disrespectful language against persons with disabilities, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, promotes respect for their dignity and prohibits discrimination. The Act also mandates awareness campaigns to change social attitudes.

Meanwhile, the students and their families who attended the counselling session continued with the admission process, which remained unaffected by the controversy. The incident has, however, reignited a conversation about the language used by public representatives and the need for continuous sensitisation.

In his apology, the Minister also reaffirmed his dedication to the cause of disability rights, stating that he would be more careful in the future. Activists have said they will hold him to that commitment and expect the government to implement disability-friendly policies with greater vigour.