India faces significant challenges in ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities. Public spaces often lack the necessary infrastructure, making it difficult for wheelchair-bound individuals to navigate those spaces. Moreover, there is an urgent need for widespread awareness and sensitization to promote inclusivity. There have to be certain initiatives to bridge this gap.
Arushi Singh, a lawyer in the making who also happens to be wheelchair-bound, was thoroughly disappointed after authorities at Kolkata airport asked her to stand up not once but thrice during security clearance.
Yesterday evening during the security clearance at Kolkata airport, the officer asked me (a wheelchair user) to stand up, not once but thrice. First she asked me to get up and walk two steps into the kiosk. (1/1)
— Arushi Singh (@singhharushi) February 1, 2024
Despite having clearly stated that she has a disability since birth, she was asked to stand up for 2 minutes. This lack of empathy and basic human decency left her shocked and furious. She called out Kolkata airport on X (formerly Twitter).
Told her I can’t as I have a disability. Inside she again asked me to stand up. I said I can’t. She said sirf 2 minute khade ho jao. I explained again that I have a disability by birth. (2/1)
— Arushi Singh (@singhharushi) February 1, 2024
Does the @CISFHQrs manual on airport security ask to insult people with disability? This appalling lack of empathy has left me shaken, furious. There have been instances in the past too and shows that Kolkata airport has learnt nothing from them. @DGCAIndia @MoCA_GoI
— Arushi Singh (@singhharushi) February 1, 2024
Several people slammed the authorities at Kolkata airport for causing such an inconvenience for wheelchair-bound people. Many demanded immediate and necessary training of airport employees regarding disability sensitization. Here’s how some of them reacted:
@aaikolairport has a special ability to make life inconvenient for all. The administration is so lazy. I was travelling with both my parents in wheelchairs and the entire experience was a nightmare.
— Donna Barman (@DonnaBarman) February 2, 2024
Absolutely insensitive, shameful and disgusting of the airport staff.
— Mishti (@Mishti26210006) February 1, 2024
Truly unfortunate. Pace of change is slow to nonexistent. More than training the mindset of people has to change for a truly inclusive society to evolve.
— sudhi kothapalli (@sudhikothapalli) February 1, 2024
How did she even get appointed as an Officer, really she should face consequences of insulting like this.
We need to see some action taken by proper authorities.— ResponseTight (@8d12353abe324a2) February 1, 2024
I saw a similar incident in Chennai airport. A Customs officer asked a senior citizen on a wheel chair to stand up for a check. When she couldn’t he shouted at her and her wheel chair handler
— VizagKaRaja (@VizagKaRaja) February 2, 2024
Sorry to hear. We don’t have to blame her training or basics but as Indian we lack humanity.
— asad (@m_asads) February 1, 2024
This is truly disappointing!