The Supreme Court is seeking answers from the Centre about the treatment of leprosy patients and India’s progress against the disease. The SC, responding to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy (VCLP), has directed the Centre to enact a central law barring discrimination against leprosy patients. It is […]
law
In boon for HIV patients, historic law comes into force
The Health Ministry has started implementing of a historic HIV/AIDS bill, which passed in the Rajya Sabha in March. The bill offers comprehensive state provided care to HIV patients. In addition, social protections are to be put in place that would seek to prevent discrimination against HIV positive individuals. India has a relatively low HIV […]
India’s abortion law: time for change?
Abortion is a divisive issue in India: socially, legally, morally and religiously. A number of incidents in recent years have sparked debate over whether or not it is time to revise the country’s abortion laws. In India, the 1971 Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act says “a pregnancy may be terminated…[if an] opinion is formed, in […]
Politicians put differences aside to pass game-changing disabled rights law
The Indian Parliament closed its winter session with the passage of a bill to protect the rights of disabled people in India. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill was first tabled in 2014, but has been much longer in the making – five years, according to the Hindustan Times. Replacing the 1995 Persons with […]