South Mumbai jeweller, who lost both his legs in a train accident, was subjected to blatant humiliation by CIDF personnel last year at Delhi airport when, during a security check-up, they made him remove his artificial limbs.
South Mumbai jeweller, Samir Zaveri, 41, who lost both his legs in a train accident, was subjected to blatant humiliation by Central Industrial Security Force personnel last year at Delhi airport when, during a security check-up, they made him remove his artificial limbs.
They also asked him to submit medical certificate confirming his disability, which had happened 22 years ago. And when he couldn’t, they abused him.
Zaveri finally got his revenge after months of consistent effort when he got the airport security agencies to admit that they don’t follow norms with respect to treatment of disabled passengers, and, in fact, treat them poorly. He also got the central information commissioner to direct the CISF to furnish the guidelines laid down on behaviour towards the disabled and follow the same.
CISF is the agency in charge for security at all civil airports in India.
The guidelines state that if a disabled person wants he/she can use his/her own wheelchair up to the aircraft instead of being forced to use one provided at the airport. Also, if any screening of the disabled person or his/her prosthesis/braces is required, the person should be given the option of private screening, which should be done by two officials of the same sex as the passenger.
Zaveri’s battle started last year after the incident at Delhi airport before his flight to Mumbai. “ They were very rude during my security check-up ” said Zaveri who, in the past, has fought for the implementation of medical and ambulance facilities at suburban railway stations in the city.
Zaveri filed a complaint with the disability commissioner in New Delhi highlighting the incident and requesting for formation of proper guidelines in handling of disabled people at the airport. The commissioner forwarded the complaint to the CISF. When he didn’t get any response from the CISF, Zaveri filed an RTI application.
“The RTI application was rejected on the ground that the matter does not relate to any corruption charges,” said Zaveri. “I persisted with my plea, arguing that it’s a case of violation of human rights, and many other disabled too may be facing similar harassment at airports across the country.”
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