K S Rajanna, Padma Shri Awardee Social Worker, Was Abruptly Removed As Disabilities Commissioner By Karnataka Congress Government In 2015

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday (9 May) bestowed Padma Shri upon Dr K S Rajanna, a dedicated social worker from Karnataka, who championed the cause of persons with disabilities.

He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Modi government for his contributions in the field of social work.

K S Rajanna lost his arms and legs to polio in his childhood. Despite his physical challenges, he pursued education, earning a diploma in mechanical engineering.

His achievements extend beyond academia, as he clinched gold in discus throw and silver in swimming at the 2002 Paralympics, while representing India.

K S Rajanna was appointed as commissioner of the state department for disabled in September 2013 by the then Congress government led by chief minister Siddaramaiah.

He was Karnataka’s first differently-abled state commissioner for persons with disabilities.

During his term as the commissioner, K S Rajanna reigned in government officials including principal secretaries, secretaries, head of departments (HODs) and deputy commissioners, for turning a blind eye to the woes of the differently-abled by failing to implement the Supreme Court directive on effectively implementing the Persons with Disabilities (equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation) act, 1995 (PWD Act) by December 2014. 

He advocated for measures like free entry to Vidhana Soudha, free bus passes, parking facilities, grievance redressal cells, and enhancing job and education opportunities for the differently-abled.

Functioning as as quasi-judicial officer, Rajanna ensured that justice is done to disabled by the commission.

Rajanna had also initiated a process to start survey afresh across the state of differently-abled to start reforms. However, he was unceremoniously shunted out by the Congress government just 16 months after he was appointed for a three-year term.

On 16 January 2015, a notification from the state government appointed Kamalakshi Rajanna, a Congress worker, as the new commissioner.

The state government’s action of appointing a new commissioner when a commissioner – that too a differently-abled one was in office – without any notice, reasons or clarifications, drew flak from the community of differently-abled across the state, who deemed it unjust.

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