A distressing incident unfolded at the Jagtial district collectorate in Telangana, where a disabled man was forcibly removed during a public grievance session, sparking widespread outrage and prompting swift action from authorities. Raja Gangaram, a resident of Muthyampet village in Mallapur mandal, was seeking assistance regarding a long-standing dispute over road access to his home when the incident occurred.

Gangaram, who has a locomotor disability, has reportedly been fighting for 15 years to get access to water and a proper road to his house. For the past eight years, he has been petitioning authorities to construct a road to his home, but his pleas have allegedly gone unanswered. During the Prajavani grievance redressal program at the Jagtial Collectorate, Gangaram was forcefully prevented from meeting with the district collector.

Video footage of the incident showed collectorate staff and police personnel attempting to remove Gangaram, who was seated in his wheelchair, from the hall. When he resisted, they resorted to pulling the chair, with him still in it, out of the hall so that the grievance program could continue.

The incident drew condemnation from various quarters, with many expressing shock and dismay at the treatment of a disabled person seeking redressal of his grievances. The video quickly went viral on social media, triggering a wave of criticism against the authorities involved.

According to the Collector, B. Satya Prasad, Gangaram and his wife met with him following the incident, explaining that his brothers had allegedly taken over his land and constructed a wall that blocked the road. The Collector stated that the MPDO (Mandal Parishad Development Officer) confirmed that the dispute had been ongoing for 11 years and was a personal matter between family members, with no government land involved. The Collector defended his staff, stating that they requested Gangaram not to create a scene and were preventing others from presenting their grievances. He added that since the land in question was not government property, officials could not intervene.

However, critics argue that regardless of the nature of the land dispute, the manner in which Gangaram was treated was unacceptable and reflects a lack of sensitivity towards disabled individuals. They point out that dragging a disabled man out of a public office is a clear violation of his dignity and rights.

Following the public outcry, Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao intervened and ordered the construction of a road to Gangaram's home. The Minister's intervention came after video footage of the eviction emerged and drew widespread outrage.

This incident highlights the challenges faced by disabled individuals in accessing basic amenities and seeking justice. It also underscores the need for government officials to be more sensitive and responsive to the needs of vulnerable populations. While the Minister's intervention is a welcome step, it remains to be seen whether the road will be constructed promptly and whether Gangaram's broader grievances will be addressed effectively. This incident serves as a reminder that ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all citizens requires not only policy changes but also a shift in attitudes and behaviors.