In response to IndiGo’s refusal to board a child with a disability, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said he was “investigating the matter” himself. “This type of behaviour will not be tolerated.” This is something that no human being should have to go through! “I’m investigating the matter on my own, after which appropriate action will be taken (sic),” the aviation minister tweeted early Monday, sharing a journalist’s account of the incident.
According to a post shared widely on social media by Manisha Gupta, the founder and director of a consultancy called Start Up India, the incident occurred on Saturday.
“An adolescent with special needs was in great distress yesterday at the Ranchi airport. He’d endured a harrowing car ride to the airport. He appeared to be in the throes of hunger, thirst, anxiety, and confusion by the time he had gone through security and arrived at the gate (nearly an hour before boarding),” the post read, calling it a “shame and distress” incident.
“His parents clearly knew how to deal with his meltdown – patience, cajoling, sternness, lots of hugs, and so on.” Other passengers came over to see if they needed any assistance or support. The #indigoairlines staff noticed this and approached the trio, warning them that if the child did not calm down and become ‘normal,’ they would not be allowed to board. The child had been fed by the time the boarding began. He’d taken several sips of juice and water. Except for some big displays of general teenage assertiveness, his parents had successfully given him his medicine, and he seemed ready. “Then we saw a full display of brute authority and power,” it continued.
According to the post, the airline refused to board the child because he posed a risk to others.
On Sunday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced that it was investigating the incident. The DGCA has requested a report from IndiGo, according to DGCA chief Arun Kumar.
Meanwhile, in response to the outrage, the airline said, “In the interest of passenger safety, a specially-abled child could not board the flight with his family on May 7 because he was in a state of panic.” The ground crew waited until the last minute for him to calm down, but to no avail, according to the report.
“We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused the passengers. IndiGo is proud of itself.
