"We immediately demand rollback of the words and stand of P A Sangma denigrating the capabilities of disabled people and not accepting disability as part of diversity," Federation of Tamil Nadu Physically Handicapped Associations said in a statement here.
Sangma had on July 6 said, "India should have a President, who is not blind, dumb and deaf. India should have a thinking and a functional President," when asked about his views on the top post.
"It is very unfortunate that a statesman of Sangma's stature pitching himself as a candidate of the tribal community, a vulnerable section of the Indian society, making an adverse remark on the capabilities of the disabled people, thereby advocating the incapability of disabled people alone," the Association said.
It also warned of strong protest during his visit to the state if he failed to withdraw the "discriminatory words."
National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled in Delhi also had raised objection to Sangma's comments and said, "it reflects very poorly on a candidate aspiring to the topmost office of the country."
