Birla temple denies entry to PwD, state body seeks report

Panaji: The office of the state commissioner for persons with disabilities (PwD) has sought an action taken report from Birla Radha Krishna temple, BITS Pilani, after a wheelchair user alleged she was denied entry with her personal wheelchair. It asks for the report to be submitted within 15 days.

The office of the state commissioner for persons with disabilities called on Birla Radha Krishna temple, BITS Pilani, to submit the report within 15 days. “...you are requested to kindly look into the matter on priority and take appropriate steps to ensure that such incidents like exclusion, discrimination, denial of dignity and inaccessibility are not repeated against any person with disabilities in compliance with the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016,” the commission stated.

The commission received an email from a wheelchair user with 50% locomotor disability regarding denial of access and discrimination faced by her on May 17 during her visit to the temple. It was stated that she was denied entry despite the temple being wheelchair-accessible.