Shillong, Nov 26:
Meghalaya High Court Chief Justice Soumen Sen today said rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) are not privileges but inherent constitutional guarantees.
On the occasion of Constitution Day, the Chief Justice said as India strives to view the Constitution as a mirror reflecting all abilities it must reflect the dignity, diversity and rights of persons with disabilities.
He said persons with disabilities must be fully included in all spheres of education, employment, public and digital spaces and democratic processes.
The Chief Justice highlighted the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 as a key legislative embodiment of constitutional equality and dignity. The Act, rooted in Articles 14, 19 and 21, expands disability categories, mandates inclusive education, ensures a 4 per cent job reservation in government services, and requires accessible infrastructure and digital environments.
The day-long programme, organised by the High Court of Meghalaya and the Meghalaya State Judicial Academy, in collaboration with the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities was themed, “The Constitution as a Mirror Reflecting All Abilities.”
Justice H.S. Thangkhiew described the theme of the celebration as deeply reflective, likening the Preamble to the ethical and philosophical mirror of the Constitution. He revisited its origins, beginning with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s Objectives Resolution in 1946, which laid the foundation for sovereignty, liberty, equality, justice and fraternity.
He emphasised that the judiciary has played a crucial role in expanding the meaning of equality and dignity through progressive interpretations, ensuring accessibility, reasonable accommodation and non-discrimination for all citizens.
He urged everyone to uphold the spirit of the Constitution and work towards building an inclusive India where every individual—regardless of ability—feels valued, respected and supported. He called for collective efforts to ensure that the constitutional mirror reflects justice, equality and fraternity in their most inclusive form.
Also present on the occasion were Justice Wanlura Diengdoh, Justice Biswadeep Bhattacharjee, officials from the State Commission for Persons with Disabilities, police personnel and other dignitaries.
The programme also featured a technical session based on the themes “Equal Before the Law: Advancing Disability Rights within India’s Disability Rights and Constitutional Framework” and “Law for Everyone: Building Access and Inclusion.” The session was led by Rahul Bajaj, Advocate at the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court of India, and Co-Founder of Mission Accessibility.
This was followed by a presentation on best practices adopted in Meghalaya by B. Warshong, Deputy Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities. The event also included a testimonial segment titled “Barriers and Breakthroughs: Lived Experiences from the Field” delivered by Larikyrpang Nongrum.
The Meghalaya Secretariat also commemorated the day as government officials and staff reaffirmed their commitment to uphold the core values enshrined in the Constitution, including justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.
The ceremony was led by Principal Secretary Sampath Kumar, who guided the collective reading of the Preamble at the Secretariat porch.
A similar programme was also held at the office of the Deputy Commissioners of East Khasi Hills and North Garo Hills districts
The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Shillong, in collaboration with the Department of Law, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), also commemorated the day at the NEHU campus.
Head of Department, faculty members, legal scholars, research scholars, and a large number of undergraduate and postgraduate law students participated.
The observance began with the collective reading of the Preamble, administered by Prof. Jyoti J. Mozika, Head of the Department of Law followed by a technical session with Dr. Naveen Kumar, Associate Professor, Department of Law, who covered a wide spectrum of themes central to the making of the Indian Constitution.
The Shillong event coincided with the National Function held at the historic Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan (Old Parliament House), New Delhi, where the President of India-joined by the Vice President, Prime Minister, Speaker of the Lok Sabha and other dignitaries-led the nation in reading the Preamble. This nationwide observance underscores the collective commitment to constitutional values across all institutions.
