Religious Sites in Kohima Must Ensure Equal Access for Disabled Devotees Under New Mandate

Kohima district administration has ordered all religious institutions to provide accessibility features including ramps and Braille signage for disabled devotees. Non-compliance will face legal action under the RPwD Act 2016.

Religious institutions across Kohima district must immediately eliminate physical and institutional barriers for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) following an official mandate issued by the local administration. Kohima Deputy Commissioner B Henok Buchem has instructed all places of worship to guarantee equal entry and prevent any form of discrimination against disabled devotees with immediate effect.

Compliance With Federal Disability Standards
The directive was issued after the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment expressed concern regarding reports of discriminatory treatment faced by individuals with locomotor disabilities at various religious venues. The Deputy Commissioner highlighted that restricting access or providing unequal treatment directly breaches the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. Under this national legislation, every individual is guaranteed fundamental rights to equality, protection from degrading treatment, and reasonable accommodation.

Required Infrastructure and Accessibility Features
To align with the mandatory guidelines, management authorities at all shrines, churches, and places of worship must implement specific architectural and sensory modifications. The required measures include

• Ramps and Handrails: Installing ramps with appropriate gradients alongside sturdy handrails at primary entrance and exit points.
• Step-Free Navigation: Clearing all physical obstructions and building step-free pathways across premises wherever feasible.
• Sensory and Auditory Aids: Introducing Braille signage, tactile floor maps, and audio support systems to assist visually and hearing-impaired visitors.
• Event Accommodation: Ensuring full access and dedicated assistance during major festivals, religious gatherings, and peak visitor hours.

Staff Training and Legal Consequences
The administration has directed church bodies, management trusts, temple committees, and religious leaders to conduct sensitisation workshops for their personnel and volunteers. All staff members must be educated on the legal provisions outlined in the RPwD Act, 2016. The order explicitly warns that failure to comply with these accessibility mandates will attract legal action under Section 89 of the RPwD Act, 2016, which carries provisions for financial penalties and further statutory consequences.

What this means for you
This mandate ensures dignity and barrier-free access for devotees with disabilities when visiting religious institutions across Kohima district.

• Across India: It reinforces the enforcement of the RPwD Act 2016 at community and religious institutions, setting an encouraging precedent for other districts nationwide.
• In Kohima: Local places of worship will urgently upgrade their infrastructure with ramps and tactile aids, guaranteeing smooth access for disabled residents during daily visits and major festivals.

Why this happened
The directive was triggered by official concerns regarding physical and institutional barriers faced by individuals with disabilities at religious venues.

• Ministry Intervention: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment raised issues regarding discrimination against persons with locomotor disabilities at worship places.
• Statutory Mandate: The RPwD Act, 2016 explicitly guarantees equal access and protections, requiring administrators to eliminate physical and sensory obstacles.

Questions & Answers

1. What mandate has the Kohima district administration issued for places of worship?
The administration has directed all religious institutions in Kohima district to ensure equal access and ban discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

2. Which federal law governs this access order?
The directive is backed by the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.

3. What architectural modifications are religious sites required to make?
Places of worship must install ramps with handrails, remove physical steps, set up Braille and tactile signage, and provide auditory assistance systems.

4. What are the penalties for failing to implement these accessibility rules?
Non-compliance can lead to penal action under Section 89 of the RPwD Act, 2016, including fines and statutory proceedings.

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