The Hindu op ed
The Hindu IGNORANT AND INSENSITIVE: There is an urgent need to educate people
about the rights of the disabled. Photo: Nissar Ahmed
Travelling by air is often not a very pleasant experience for a person with
disability. Incidents of harassment are quite common when a passenger with
disability travels by air on her own or his own. I narrate one such harrowing
incident.
Deplaned
I was scheduled to travel to Goa to attend a conference organised by ADPAT of
Mumbai, a non-governmental organisation. I was travelling by SpiceJet flight SG
308 from the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport, Kolkata. I reached the
airport at 7.05 a.m. on February 19, 2012. I checked in as usual and was
escorted to the flight by an assistant and was comfortably seated. After a
while I sensed a commotion around me and had the intuition that something was
not quite right. One of the flight assistants asked for my boarding pass. Then
I was asked to leave my seat and go with them. I was made to de-board, put in a
car and bought back to the airport terminal.
By this time, I was hysterical. I was not given any specific reason why I was
made to de-board. I was then taken to the airline's office, and through the
course of my argument with them I got to know that it was the captain of the
aircraft, Utprabh Tiwari, who had a problem because I was a person with
disability. The assistant manager and the other personnel appeared empathetic,
but they said they were helpless as their attempt to convince the captain had
failed. I demanded that they allow me to either board another flight or return
the money. Assistant Manager Vishnu Ramesan said I could take the flight the
next day - February 20. I asked him how he could give me an assurance that the
incident would not be repeated. He said he had spoken to the higher authorities
and action would be taken. I asked him for a written statement giving the
reason for de-boarding me - which they refused to give, for obvious reasons.
However, they accepted a written complaint from me. They dropped me home and
gave me an assurance to pick me up the next morning to go to the airport.
But I was unable to fly the next day because I was absolutely shattered and
traumatised by the previous day's incidents and had to consult a physician.
DGCA rules
The point that clearly comes out here is the total lack of awareness on the
part of the airline staff of the relevant rules. The Directorate General of
Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued detailed Civil Aviation Requirements. Under
Section 4.1 of the document on Carriage by Air of Persons with Disability and/
or Persons with Reduced Mobility (issued in May 2008), no airline has the
authority to refuse a passenger with disability or reduced mobility from
travelling by air along with the aid and appliances they require.
Under Section 5.1, no medical clearance or special forms shall be insisted upon
from persons with disabilities or persons with reduced mobility who only
require special assistance at the airport for assistance in embarking/
disembarking and a reasonable accommodation in flight, who otherwise do not
require any additional assistance.
No medical clearance or special forms shall be insisted upon from persons with
disabilities or persons with reduced mobility who only require special
assistance at the airport for assistance in embarking/ disembarking and a
reasonable accommodation in flight, who otherwise do not require any additional
assistance.
Under 5.2, medical clearance may be required only when the airline has received
information that the passenger:
a) suffers from any disease, which is believed to be actively contagious and
communicable; b) who, because of certain diseases, or incapacitation may have
or develop an adverse physical condition which could have an adverse effect
during flight and on safety and emergency evacuation procedures; c) would
require medical attention and/ or special equipment to maintain their health
during the flights; d) there exists a possibility of medical condition
aggravated during or because of the flight;
I am a person with cerebral palsy - which is not a disease but a condition
caused by damage to the brain.
This is yet another incident that shows lack of awareness and a humane touch
even among the so-called elite and educated people of society. A pilot or the
captain of the flight holds a responsible position. This kind of behaviour from
him is shameful.
I urge the government, including the Ministries of Social Justice and
Empowerment and Civil Aviation, to take up this issue as a serious matter.
There is an urgent need to provide training to airline personnel at all levels.
Such training should be conducted by people with disabilities.
I request the Ministry of Civil Aviation to take serious action against
SpiceJet, especially Captain Utprabh Tiwari. Any person with his mentality and
attitude has no right to hold such a responsible position. If I am not fit to
fly, he is not fit to be a pilot.
(This is an adapted version of a letter sent by Jeeja Ghosh to the Union
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, on February 21, 2012. She is Head
of Advocacy and Disability Studies at the Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy in
Kolkata.)
With thanks and regards
(Rajesh Asudani)
Assistant General Manager
Reserve Bank of India
Nagpur
Cell: 9420397185
o: +91 712 2806846
R: 2591349
(In youth you want things, and then in middle-age you want to want them.)
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