There should be no debate about government offices and public spaces being disabled-friendly. It is an ethical imperative that upholds every person’s right to dignity and equality. Every citizen of this country, irrespective of their abilities, deserves equal access to government services.
Hence, it was appalling to learn that a wheelchair-bound woman named Virali Modi was expected to arrive at the second floor of the marriage registrar’s office to get married to her partner. The building did not have a lift and officials wouldn’t come downstairs for the signatures. She had to be carried up two flights of stairs.
Here’s a look at her posts:
PLEASE RT!
I am disabled and I got married at the Registrars Office at Khar Mumbai on 16/10/23. The office was on the 2nd floor WITHOUT a lift. They wouldn’t come downstairs for the signatures and I had to be carried up two flights of stairs to get married. pic.twitter.com/ZNCQF3gJRY
— Virali Modi (@Virali01) October 18, 2023
Like many other government official buildings, this building too was not well maintained. The railings of the staircase were allegedly loose and rusty. Despite having informed her agent about her disability prior to the big day, no arrangements were made for her whatsoever.
The stairs were extremely steep and the railings were loose and rusty. No one even offered to help nor did they make any kind of accommodations for me, even though I had informed my agent of my disability prior to the appointment.
— Virali Modi (@Virali01) October 18, 2023
How is this fair? What happened to the Accessible India campaign? Just because I’m a wheelchair user, do I not have the right to get married to someone I love? What if someone had slipped and what if I had fallen on my wedding day? Who is responsible?
— Virali Modi (@Virali01) October 18, 2023
Virali went on to express her disappointment at the government and their inability to accommodate disabled people in public places and offices. She advocated for disabled-friendly spaces and urged the government to take necessary steps.
I am disheartened that my country’s government and citizens cannot accommodate to my disability. My faith in humanity has been destroyed by this ordeal. I am not a piece of luggage that needs to be carried up two floors. I am a human being and my rights matter!
— Virali Modi (@Virali01) October 18, 2023
My country should accommodate to my needs and the needs of millions of disabled citizens. This is extremely unfair, unprecedented, and unexpected. My rights matter! This was a government building and the people in charge of running this country should lead from the front.
— Virali Modi (@Virali01) October 18, 2023
Her post was able to gather much attention from people online who showered her with immense support. Here’s what some of them said:
This is so sad to hear Virali. Hope they take note
But don’t be disheartened. So happy you’ve found love of your life. Many many congratulations to both of you 🙂
God bless 🙏
— Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) October 18, 2023
This is appalling and needs to change ASAP! (Also congratulations you look beautiful ❤️)
— Ishmeet Nagpal 🏳️🌈 💛🤍💜🖤 (@IshmeetNagpal) October 18, 2023
Many congratulations Virali! I am sorry for the horrific experience; that too on your wedding day. I wish you and your husband a lifetime of happiness 💝 May you continue to shine 🌟
— mukta (@MuktaPassi) October 18, 2023
This is strange that Registrar’s office is not disable friendly. All government offices should be accessible by all.
— kamal kumar 🇮🇳 (@kamalkumarBJD) October 18, 2023
First congratulations to you wonderful couple. May Mahadev keep blessing you both with all the happiness of world.
Have seen Govt doing lots in last few years for accessibility. And hope your this tweet will help few more changes or expediting those.— Jigish S (@jigishs) October 18, 2023
There are some very basic things that the government could provide to make various spaces disabled-friendly like wheelchair ramps, wider doorways, and elevators. In addition to that, auditory assistance like sign language interpreters and hearing aid-compatible systems should be provided to people with hearing impairment. These are small but very necessary steps to make sure that people with disabilities have their rightful access to public spaces and offices.