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Journalism of Courage
A wheelchair user has recounted online her distressing encounter with the Kolkata Airport staff who allegedly asked to stand up despite clear physical limitations.
Arushi Singh wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “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).”
The thread of posts clocked 17.7k views.
“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,” she wrote further, tagging the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (@DGCAIndia) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation (@MoCA_GoI).
Authorities at Kolkata airport are yet to respond to the passenger’s allegation.
A netizen wrote, “Absolutely insensitive, shameful and disgusting of the airport staff.” A second wrote, “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.” A third said, “What an idiot!”
The incident shed light on the pressing issue of accessibility and inclusivity in transportation hubs. Instances of discrimination and ignorance towards disabled people continue to surface, underscoring the need for enhanced awareness and sensitivity training.
