Hyderabad: Congress MLC Jeevan Reddy Demands Action Against IAS Officer Smita Sabharwal Over PwD Reservation Remarks
In a recent session of the Telangana Legislative Council, Congress MLC Jeevan Reddy has called for strict action against IAS Officer Smita Sabharwal following her controversial comments on the reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Reddy expressed his outrage over Sabharwal’s derogatory remarks, which he claimed insulted and demeaned the disabled community. He argued that Sabharwal’s position of authority makes her comments particularly damaging and urged the Telangana government to act decisively to uphold the dignity of differently-abled individuals.
Sabharwal’s remarks, made on her X handle, questioned the need for PwD reservation in the IAS/IPS/IFoS services, citing concerns about the physical demands of the roles. She wrote, “With all due respect to the Differently Abled, does an airline hire a pilot with a disability? Or would you trust a surgeon with a disability? The nature of the AIS is field-work, long taxing hours, listening first-hand to people’s grievances—which requires physical fitness. Why does this premier service need this quota in the first place?”
The comments sparked significant backlash, including responses from a senior Supreme Court advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, who criticized Sabharwal for her perceived ignorance and exclusionary views. Bala Latha Mallavarapu also condemned the remarks, arguing that they undermine judicial and parliamentary decisions on PwD reservations and questioned Sabharwal’s qualifications to comment on the matter.
In light of these developments, Jeevan Reddy has reiterated his demand for action against Sabharwal, urging Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to address the issue under the Code of Conduct. The Congress MLC’s appeal highlights the ongoing debate and sensitivity surrounding disability rights and reservations in public services.
