Assembly passes two Bills removing ‘leprosy’ references from State Laws

Endowments Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy on Wednesday moved two amendment Bills in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, both of which were passed after detailed discussion, aimed at removing discriminatory references to persons affected or cured of leprosy from State laws.

One of the key measures approved by the House was the Sri Venkateswara Vedic University (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which amends the Sri Venkateswara Vedic University Act, 2006. The amendment deletes the words “suffering from leprosy” from Sections 37(1)(a) and 38(2) of the parent Act, where the expression appeared alongside the term “deaf-mute.”

Addressing the Assembly, the Minister stated that the amendment was introduced in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court in its order dated May 7, 2025, in W.P. No. 83/2010. The Court had observed that the continuation of discriminatory and demeaning provisions against leprosy-affected or cured persons in various statutes violates constitutional principles of equality and non-discrimination, and directed State Governments to undertake a comprehensive review of such laws.

The Minister said the Law Department identified several State Acts containing derogatory references and instructed departments to examine their respective legislations, rules and regulations. In the Endowments Department, the relevant provisions in the 2006 Act were flagged for amendment.

In addition, the Assembly also passed amendments to the Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1987, removing similar wording from Section 19(1)(b).

Describing the exercise as a time-bound programme, the Minister noted that a status report would be submitted before the apex court. Following passage by the Legislature, the Bills will be sent to the Governor for assent under Article 200 of the Constitution.