Woman on wheelchair asked to stand at Delhi’s T3, told ‘don’t do drama’ | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Woman on wheelchair asked to stand at Delhi’s T3, told ‘don’t do drama’

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By
Sep 09, 2019 10:02 PM IST

The activist said when she reached the security check-in point a woman CISF constable started forcing her to stand up although the porter intervened and mentioned repeatedly that Virali could not stand.

Wheelchair-bound US citizen and disability rights activist, Virali Modi, had a harrowing time at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Monday when she was allegedly harassed by a CISF woman constable who insisted she should stand for the mandatory security check procedure. Virali cannot walk or stand and has been paralyzed after a spinal cord injury since 2006.

Virali alleged that despite showing her passport which proves that she travels internationally even after being wheelchair-bound, the CISF staff went on to accuse her of acting.(TWITTER.)
Virali alleged that despite showing her passport which proves that she travels internationally even after being wheelchair-bound, the CISF staff went on to accuse her of acting.(TWITTER.)

“I am disabled from the last 13 years. I am unable to walk and stand. I was travelling today (Monday) from IGI Airport, Terminal 3 on a SpiceJet Flight (SG8723) to Mumbai,” Virali wrote in her complaint to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The activist said that due to her disability, she had surrendered her personal wheelchair to the check-in counter as cargo and had also been assigned a porter to help her to her seat. When she reached the security check-in point a woman CISF constable started forcing her to stand up although the porter intervened and mentioned repeatedly that Virali could not stand.

Virali alleged that despite showing her passport which proves that she travels internationally even after being wheelchair-bound, the CISF staff went on to accuse her of “acting and doing drama”. Following this the activist also overheard the woman constable telling her colleagues that she was “doing drama and could easily stand if she wanted to”. When confronted, the CISF staff started shouting at the activist.

In her letter, Virali said that she could not get the name of the CISF staff as she was standing in such a way where her name tag was not clearly visible. “Finally a senior staff member came, did a manual check and let me go.”

Expressing concern at the CISF personnel’s behaviour, Virali wrote in her complaint : “Is this how the CISF is trained to handle people with disabilities? If so then it’s a shame on our government. I should be treated with respect and sensitivity. This behaviour is absurd and I request you to please look into this matter and take the necessary action so this doesn’t happen to anyone with a disability.”

A few years ago, Virali had reportedly faced a similar incident at the Mumbai airport where the CISF staff insisted she stand up. When she said she couldn’t, one of the women troopers pulled so hard at her leg that she had to be hospitalised.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal Arrest Live Updates, Bihar Board 12th Result Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On