Pass the HIV/AIDS Bill, say support groups

Suspense was in the air, as a restless crowd gathered at the bus-stand alongside Victoria Terminus or Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, at about half-past noon on Saturday.

Soon enough, a small truck with four large speakers parked close-by blared-out Hindi film songs, and from the crowd emerged dancers in what seemed to be an impromptu show.

As

Slumdog Millionaire ’s “Jai Ho” rented the air, passers-by stood on little iron partitions and climbed walls and trees to capture the `flash mob’ on their mobile-phone cameras. Having got their audience’s attention, the dancers revealed their message — get the Government to pass the HIV/AIDS Bill.

Ahead of World AIDS day on December 1, it was the Mumbai AIDS Forum’s effort to remind the Government to pass the legislation in the forthcoming winter session of Parliament. Pending since 2006, the legislation deals with the discrimination faced by people with HIV/AIDS.

Confidentiality, consent

A key feature in the Bill is that it addresses discrimination at the workplace, besides ensuring the right to confidentiality and informed consent before testing, treatment and research.

India is estimated to have over two million people living with HIV/AIDS.

“Statistics don’t bleed, but people bleed. In our work with around 40,000 children affected by HIV and AIDS across the country, we have seen them and their families denied their right to dignified life and treatment because of the stigma attached to the disease. A legal protection would go a long way in ensuring that these children are able to access their rights,” said Jayakumar Christian, National Director of World Vision. The organisation held a walkathon in the city, where about 400 children living with HIV, added their voices to the call to get the Bill passed.

In fact, Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive director, pointed out in a statement, that ending the AIDS epidemic meant “zero new HIV infections, zero people dying of AIDS, and all people living with dignity and without fear of discrimination.”

‘Triple zero’ target

And it was this “triple zero” target that was the message from the 30-odd flash-mob dancers at VT, as well, as they got the crowd gathered around them to get engaged with their cause. Within minutes though, the music drew to a close and the dancers disappeared, hoping, however, that their message stayed on with the crowd.

jyothi.datta@thehindu.co.in