Two-day International Conference on Epistemologies of Disability Concludes
Aligarh : The two-day international conference on “Epistemologies of Disability”, organized by the Department of English, Aligarh Muslim University, in association with the Indian Disability Studies Collective (IDSC) explored the epistemological shifts in the Disability Studies while deliberating upon the social, cultural, political, medical, biological, and psychological aspects of disability, advocating for a more inclusive approach towards the persons with disability (PwD) and the need to evolve strategies for the same.
In his Valedictory address, Prof. Harish Narang, former faculty, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, remarked that such events act as bridges between academia and society. Citing examples from the caste-ridden Indian society of what he called “societally inflicted disability”, he observed that it has much more debilitating impact compared to physical, mental, emotional or intellectual disability as it renders a whole community impaired. Society, he said, is a very crucial place in this context, but its attitude towards the disabled is characterised either by hostility or pity or sympathy – empathy which must be the right attitude is nowhere to be found.
Commenting upon the relationship between disability and literature, he said that writers are great persuaders, thus a literary discourse is always charged with some powerful message and how society reacts to something is sometimes affected by its representation in literature. He cited the example of Manthara from Ramayana in this context as to how hunchback came to be associated with villainy. He expressed his hopes in advancing technology to emerge as a saviour for PwD, ensuring a better future for them.
IDSC Chair, Prof Someshwar Sati reiterated that “transition of mindset is yet to take place”, commenting on the lack of academic consciousness towards disability.
Prof. Mohammad Asim Siddiqui, Chairperson, Department of English, in his opening remarks, wished all possible strength to those struggling with the problem of disability on a personal level. He appreciated and thanked everyone for their efforts in making the event a success.
Delivering a special lecture, Dr Hemachandran Karah, an Associate Professor at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Madras, talked about the conception of “care” in academia. He said that due to the affirmative policies of the state in the form of reservation, etc., a lot of disabled students are now making their way to universities, wherein they may get “interpersonal care” from their peers, but are not provided any “institutional care”. Ramps, he said, may be external manifestations of accommodation, but we need ramps within us too.
Another special lecture was delivered online by Prof. Lennard Davis, University of Illinois Chicago, USA who traced the genealogy and evolution of Disability Studies from the US and UK to the third world countries.
Highlight of the day was a round table discussion by Prof. Ranu Uniyal, Department of English, University of Lucknow, Prof Sunita Murmu, Department of English, Deen Dayal Upadhyay University, Gorakhpur and Prof Banibrata Mahanta, Vice Chair, IDSC, and Department of English, Banaras Hindu University. Two books by Prof. Uniyal, namely Understanding Disability: Interdisciplinary Critical Approaches, and An Unplanned Journey: Stories of Empathy from the Frontiers of Intellectual and Developmental Disability were also launched.
The panellists talked about the caregivers’ perspective, sharing their experiences of parenting disabled children. Caregiving, as discussed by Prof. Mahanta, is a heterogeneous phenomenon depending upon a number of factors like the age, gender, location, economic status, etc. Prof. Uniyal and Prof. Murmu both emphasized that caregiving as a parent is a relentless journey wherein acceptance is the first thing, followed by the desire for inclusion, against the discriminatory attitude of society.
There were eight extensive paper reading sessions attended by dignitaries from all over the country. Around thirty research papers were presented on topics ranging from the representation of disability in Indian Cinema to the enactment of laws in the country to empower the disabled.
The Conference also witnessed a cultural program, wherein the students of the host Department entertained the guests with their theatrical and musical performances. The cultural evening was coordinated by Prof. Samina Khan and Prof. Ayesha Munira, Department of English, AMU.
Mr Ritwick Bhattacharjee, the Treasurer of IDSC and Dr Siddhartha Chakraborti, the Convenor of the conference, delivered a vote of thanks.