Discourse On 'Otherization' In Disability-Sexuality Law At RGNUL 11th July 2022

Mr. Sachin Sharma, Assistant Professor of Law, outlined the discursive truths surrounding disability, culture and gender through discussion on denial of sexual autonomy to persons with disabilities. "Socio-medical discourses focusing on the disabled people tend to subjugate, degender and asexualize the First Person Discourses," he said. Alluding to Franklin Miller's Ethics of Consent, Neil Manson's Rethinking Informed Consent and Ngozi Adichie's Danger of Single Story, Mr. Sharma highlighted on the fixed binaries and dual identities. Reflecting on the hegemonic culture and civil society model of social contract, he spoke about the third person dominance in disability-sexuality discourse. While talking about sexual personhood and law, Mr. Sharma emphasized that people with disability should be included in law-making processes. "Though the public discourse on sex and disability focusses on protection of vulnerable population from abuse, there is a need to recognize the inherent sexuality of disabled persons. In the times of capitalist bourgeois counter narratives should be voiced," he said. He also expanded on the processes of normalization and institutionalization that silence the voices of the disabled.

Prof. Anand Pawar, Registrar, RGNUL said, "This sensitive issue necessitates clear understanding of personal and systemic approaches that go beyond bio-medical approaches to meaningfully address disability-sexuality." Dr. Sidharth Dahiya, Deputy Registrar; Dr. Naresh Kumar Vats, Dean Academics & DSW; Dr. Sharanjit, Controller of Examination and RGNUL Faculty members were present during the discussion.