India's aviation minister has launched an investigation after a domestic airline allegedly refused to let a disabled teenager board its flight. The staff of IndiGo airlines told the parents of the disabled teen that he was a risk to other passengers.
BBC reported that the incident sparked widespread outrage in India, with many calling out the airline for its discriminatory behavior. IndiGo has denied the allegations hurled against them, saying that it prides itself on being an inclusive organization.
Aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia promised "appropriate action" on Monday, May 9, saying that he was personally investigating the incident involving IndiGo. Scindia posted a message on the social media platform Twitter, writing, "There is zero tolerance towards such behaviour. No human being should have to go through this."
IndiGo CEO offers to buy disabled teen an electric wheelchair
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also sought a report from IndiGo airlines regarding the incident, which took place at the Ranchi airport on Saturday. Facing flak for denying the disabled teen a seat, IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta has offered to buy an electric wheelchair for the child, according to India Today.
The issue came to light after one of the flight's co-passengers, Manisha Gupta, wrote about the incident on Facebook. According to Gupta, the teenager looked visibly distressed ahead of the flight. Gupta said that by the time he had gone through the security check and reached the gate, the teen seemed to be in the throes of hunger, thirst, anxiety, and confusion.
Gupta added that the teen's parents had managed to soothe his meltdown well, using patience, many hugs, some cajoling, and some sternness to calm their son down. Gupta said that other passengers also stopped by to offer some help to the couple.
Gupta said that when the IndiGo staff saw the disabled teen, they warned the parents that they would not let them board "if the child did not quieten down and become 'normal'."
IndiGo staff insisted disabled teen was a risk to other passengers
Gupta said that was when they witnessed the full display of brute authority and power by the IndiGo staff. The staff of the airlines announced shortly afterward that the child would not be allowed to take the flight, deeming the disabled teen a risk to other passengers. Gupta wrote that the staff told the family that he would have to become "normal" before he could be travel-worthy.
Gupta added that other passengers on the flight opposed the staff's decision, assuring them that they had no objection to the teen and his parents boarding the flight. Gupta wrote that a group of doctors traveling on the same flight offered to provide full support to the child and his parents if any health episode was to occur mid-air.
But, the airline held its ground, with its manager insisting that the child was "uncontrollable" and "in a state of panic," according to Gupta. Her Facebook post has gone viral, leading to widespread anger and condemnation in India.
IndiGo issued a statement, saying it took the step for the sake of the safety of its passengers. The airlines added that it made the family comfortable by providing them a hotel stay and that they flew the next morning to their destination. According to the Diplomat, an estimated figure of over 26 million people in India has a disability.
