Ok, we get it. The threat of a terrorist attack is really high. Although it is wrong, we can still be OK when airport security asks differently-abled to remove their prosthetic legs to check them.
But the Delhi police did not show any sympathy when they asked two-time Asian silver medallist Aditya Mehta to remove his prosthetic leg AND allegedly remove his clothes.
He was catching a flight to go to Hyderabad to promote his NGO that helps differently-abled athletes.
A rude sub-inspector spoke to him impolitely and did not let him go until he removed his prosthetic leg and stripped for the security check.
“Is this the kind of treatment given to physically-challenged persons?”
He even wrote an FB post highlighting how the airport security maltreated him. The surprising this was that the Assistant Commandant, who was the commanding officer was present at the incident and still did nothing.
This is not the first time he faced such humiliation. Four days earlier he was again asked to remove his prosthetic leg.
Aditya Mehta won us two silver medals in cycling in the 2013 Asian Games. Furthermore, his prosthetic limb is designed by him! He even campaigns for differently-abled people so that they also get opportunities to participate and win medals for our country.
Call them physically challenged, handicapped or differently abled, it does not change the fact that you cannot just tell them to take off their prosthetic limb.
They face enough stigma from insensitive people as it is on a daily basis.
And when they have brought accolades to our country in terms of medals, is it right to tell them to strip down bare for a security check?
Is this how we treat our champions? Just because they are handicapped?
Cover Image Source
News Source – Times Of India