On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Bengaluru’s Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium became a symbol of irony. The event, aimed at promoting inclusion, fell short of its goal as many attendees with disabilities faced significant barriers in accessing the venue. Several were forced to climb nearly three dozen steps due to the absence of ramps, lifts, and proper seating arrangements.
While seats were reserved for persons with disabilities, they were often occupied by able-bodied individuals, leaving many disabled attendees to navigate flights of stairs. Some had to crawl or be assisted by companions to reach their seats. Suhasini, one attendee, expressed her frustration, sharing that she had to find an alternate entrance after being denied access through the main one. Despite 30 wheelchairs being available, volunteers stated these were insufficient for the crowd, and assistance was only offered at the main entrance, with no support provided at other entry points.
Further compounding the issue, washrooms were not disability-friendly, and temporary toilets outside the stadium were hard to access, forcing many to rely on crowded facilities. Attendees highlighted the broader issue of inaccessible public spaces, with Dinesh commenting on the challenges disabled individuals face, especially in government buildings. The lack of basic amenities at the event underscored the stark contrast between the celebration of inclusion and the reality faced by people with disabilities.
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