Report No. 256

Chapter III

Attempts made thus far in Addressing the Concerns of Persons affected by Leprosy

3.1 Several attempts have been made in India thus far to uplift the status of Persons affected by Leprosy and their family members through concerted action. One such attempt was made by Dr. Shivajirao Patwardhan, a Homoeopathic doctor who founded the "Jagdamba Leprosy Mission" or Tapovan in the Amravati district of Maharashtra in 1950, and devoted his whole life for Leprosy patients.54

Tapovan is considered to be one of the finest and most comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation complexes for Leprosy patients.55 Dr. Patwardhan undertook great struggles in dispelling the canards associated with the disease of Leprosy and was successful in improving the living conditions of several Persons affected by Leprosy.56

54. Padmashri Dr. Shivajirao Patwardhan, Note on Amravati District, available at
<http://court.mah.nic.in/courtweb/static_pages/courts/amravati.pdf>,
accessed on 25th January, 2014.

55. 25th January, 2014.

56. Note on Amravati District (n 54).

3.2 Another sterling endeavour for the uplift of Persons affected by Leprosy was undertaken by Baba Amte (Murlidhar Devidas Amte) in Warora, Maharashtra. Baba Amte started working for those struck by Leprosy outside Warora, immediately after his marriage.57 He set up 11 weekly clinics around Warora and later started "Anandwan", a self-contained ashram for Persons affected by Leprosy and their family members.58

Baba Amte's Anandwan was registered in 1951, and has since grown considerably in light of grants and land given by the government.59 Anandwan today consists of two hospitals, a university, an orphanage, a school for the blind and technical wings.60 It is now a self-sufficient unit, where more than 5,000 people are dependent on it for their livelihood.61

57. Maharashtra Bhushan - Baba Amte, Website of the Maharashtra Collector, available at
<http://chanda.nic.in/htmldocs/anandwan.html>,
accessed on 25th January, 2014.

58. Maharashtra Bhushan - Baba Amte (n 57); 25th January, 2014.

59. Maharashtra Bhushan - Baba Amte (n 57); See also Baba Amte, Website of Anandwan, available at
<http://www.anandwan.in/about-anandwan/baba-amte.html>,
accessed on 25th January, 2014.

60. Maharashtra Bhushan - Baba Amte (n 57); 25th January, 2014.

61. Maharashtra Bhushan - Baba Amte (n 57) and Baba Amte (n 59).

3.3 In addition to the aforementioned efforts by individuals, several efforts have also been undertaken by the government to tackle the concerns of Persons affected by Leprosy. In this regard, an appeal for the integration and empowerment of Persons affected by Leprosy had been made to governments at the Central and State level by the Rajya Sabha Committee on Petitions in their Hundred and Thirty First-Report.62

The Committee, in its report, looked into eleven points for consideration that included the formulation of a national policy for the empowerment of Persons affected by Leprosy, amendment to all the relevant legislations that harmed the interest of Persons affected by Leprosy, access to medical facilities and civic amenities and other such assistance measures that are for the general benefit of such persons.63

Through the Report, the Committee made several pertinent recommendations that sought to do away with the marginalisation and stigmatisation of Persons affected by Leprosy and that strived to make the legal framework in India more responsive to their needs.64

62. 131st Report on Leprosy (n 45).

63. 131st Report on Leprosy (n 45).

64. 131st Report on Leprosy (n 45).

3.4 Subsequently, the Hundred and Thirty-Eighth Report of the same Committee analysed the actions taken by the Central and State governments on the recommendations/observations contained in the Hundred and Thirty-First Report.65 In this Report, the Committee took note of the actions taken by the government on the relevant recommendations made previously and analysed the progress made thereafter on those actions.66 In this regard, with respect to legislative amendments, the Committee noted the explanations offered by the relevant Ministries and made additional recommendations, in instances where necessary.67

65. 138th Report on Leprosy (n 49).

66. 138th Report on Leprosy (n 49).

67. 138th Report on Leprosy (n 49).

3.5 However even though the efforts made thus far have been noteworthy and have considerably improved the lives of many Persons affected by Leprosy and their family members, the long-standing stigma associated with Leprosy and the archaic laws applicable to them continue to exist. This is most evident if we consider the domestic legal framework, described in detail in the next chapter.