Taking the leap, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court of India intervened to combat stigma and discrimination against people affected by leprosy.
• The NHRC found 97 central and state laws with discriminatory provisions against persons with leprosy.
• These provisions deny access to public transport, elected office, employment, and business ventures.
• India reports about 57% of leprosy cases worldwide, with genetic predisposition and unsanitary conditions increasing susceptibility.
• The court directed all States and Union Territories to submit reports detailing the steps they have initiated to address this issue.

Detailed Insights:

• Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, is an ancient infection, with evidence dating back to 2000 BCE.
• The NHRC has been addressing this issue since 2021, advocating for early identification, timely treatment, rehabilitation, and the removal of discriminatory practices.
• The NHRC urged the Centre to enact a law replacing derogatory terminology and recommended using iris scans for Aadhaar enrolment due to leprosy's impact on fingertips.
• Medical advancements have made leprosy non-infectious and fully curable, rendering discriminatory provisions obsolete.
• The Centre and States must urgently remove discriminatory provisions and launch remedial action to ensure equal rights for all citizens.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Leprosy: A chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, affecting the skin, peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and eyes.
• Stigma: A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.
• Discrimination: The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.