Kathmandu: Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has assured that the party is committed to protecting the rights of people with disabilities and is even ready to amend its statute to ensure their inclusion.

Speaking at a program organized by the National Democratic Disabled Association at the party’s central office in BP Nagar on Friday, Deuba emphasized that the Congress recognizes and respects the rights of people with disabilities.

Deuba made the remarks while inaugurating a training session on political rights and the first general convention of the association. During the event, he launched a commemorative souvenir and a booklet titled Political Rights Facilitation 2082. Upon observing the difficulties faced by participants with disabilities in accessing the venue, Deuba pledged to immediately make the party office disability-friendly.

Former minister and senior party leader Dr. Minendra Rijal echoed the need for serious attention to disability rights, calling it a sensitive and significant issue. Similarly, Joint General Secretary Mahalaxmi Upadhyay Dina elaborated on the constitutional provisions for disability rights, while also highlighting areas still lacking in implementation.

In the training sessions that followed, Central Committee Member Madhu Acharya presented on Nepali Congress and Inclusive Politics, underlining the party's long-standing commitment to inclusion. He stressed the importance of ensuring equal opportunities for people with disabilities and noted that Nepal has made relatively more progress in this regard compared to other countries.

Central Member Ajay Babu Shiwakoti led a session on the responsible use of digital platforms titled Information on Social Media – How Much is True, How Much is False?. He warned participants about misinformation and urged caution when sharing or consuming online content.

Former MP and ex-President of the Democratic Association of the Disabled, Prakash Pantha, discussed the political rights of people with disabilities and reviewed the achievements as well as the unfulfilled rights of the community.

National Democratic Disabled Association President Madhav Prasad Chamlagain commended the participation of over 200 individuals with disabilities despite adverse weather conditions, calling it a testament to growing political awareness. He stated that the association is committed to amending the party’s statute and constitution, if needed, to guarantee political rights and representation of people with disabilities.

Chamlagain announced that the association’s central committee has already prepared a proposal for statute amendments and plans to submit it to the party. He urged the Nepali Congress to restructure its internal mechanisms to ensure the representation of people with disabilities in all 165 constituencies and across all levels of governance—from local to federal.

He emphasized the need for distinct policies based on the type of disability, citing the multifaceted nature of disability-related challenges. Chamlagain expressed hope that the event would serve as a historic foundation for institutionalizing the movement for political inclusion.

Concluding the event, Chamlagain also called on some estranged leaders of the disability movement to return to their roots and work collectively, stating, “Let us all resolve to do exemplary work together today.”