TNR News Network
SHIMLA:
The long-running protest by visually impaired demonstrators in Shimla — now stretching into its 770th day — erupted into heated scenes on Wednesday (December 3, 2025) after a scuffle broke out with the police near the State Secretariat at Chhota Shimla in Himachal Pradesh.
The group, demanding backlog recruitment and timely pensions, has braved rain, snow, heat and harsh cold for over two years, but tensions peaked when officers attempted to prevent them from blocking traffic.
Shimla (Urban) SDM Oshin Sharma, who arrived at the spot shortly after the commotion began, drew attention for her stern tone while addressing the protesters. When asked about government grants, she reportedly responded that she “knew exactly what ‘darat’ (sickle) is and is not foolish,” urging the demonstrators to listen to her instructions.
Her comments triggered immediate pushback, with one protester audibly remarking, “Look at this high-handedness… unbelievable.” As the exchange escalated, the SDM eventually walked away from the scene.
Clash over slogans, accusations of intimidation
Earlier, SDM Oshin Sharma had objected to slogans raised against the Chief Minister, telling the crowd that such chants would not be entertained. When the protesters questioned why, the argument intensified, and after repeated offensive slogans, the SDM again left the area.
Moments before this, a verbal spat broke out regarding allegations that the SDM had accused the protesters of carrying a “darat” (sickle). The demonstrators challenged her to clarify where she had supposedly seen one. The SDM maintained that the CM was occupied with the ongoing Assembly session and promised to facilitate a meeting when he arrived, but this assurance was met with louder sloganeering, including “SDM madam ho barbaad.”
A senior police officer also courted controversy when he allegedly told a disabled protester that if he raised his voice again, “his heartbeat would stop”. Furious protesters responded with slogans such as “pension chor, gaddi chhor”, directing their anger at the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government.
771 days of protest and no breakthrough yet
Rajesh Thakur, secretary of the State Blind Association, said the visually impaired community had been protesting continuously for 771 days, demanding recruitment under backlog quota, enhanced pensions and timely disbursal. He said the group has now begun a relay hunger strike, warning that if the government did not initiate meaningful dialogue, it would escalate into an indefinite hunger strike after December 10.
The protesters alleged that despite multiple blockades and demonstrations outside the Secretariat over the past two years, no concrete decision had been taken. They claim the government’s current Rs 1,700 monthly pension is inadequate and often delayed for three months at a time. They also point out that around 1,200 posts meant for disabled candidates remained vacant due to stalled recruitment.
Gathering under the banner of the Drishtiheen Jan Sangathan since October 25, 2023, the visually impaired say they will now intensify their agitation, with supporters from across Himachal preparing to join them in the coming days.
