Disabled Mumbai bride carried up 2 floors at Registrar Office, Devendra Fadnavis apologises

A wheelchair-bound woman in Mumbai expressed anger and disappointment after she had to be "carried up two flights of stairs to get married" at the Registrars Office.

In a X (formerly Twitter) thread, which has gone viral, the woman named Virali Modi-a disability rights activist-who got married on October 16, described her experience and said nobody at the registrar office in Khar area of the city came forward to help her. "I am disabled and I got married at the Registrars Office at Khar Mumbai on 16/10/23. The office was on the 2nd floor without a lift. They wouldn't come downstairs for the signatures and I had to be carried up two flights of stairs to get married," the woman wrote on Wednesday.

The woman further said that the stairs at the office were rusty and no help was given to her, despite authorities being informed about her disability. She also questioned as to what may have happened had she fallen from the stairs, while being taken to the office to get married. "The stairs were extremely steep and the railings were loose and rusty. No one even offered to help nor did they make any kind of accommodations for me, even though I had informed my agent of my disability prior to the appointment," she wrote.

"I am disheartened that my country's government and citizens cannot accommodate to my disability. My faith in humanity has been destroyed by this ordeal. I am not a piece of luggage that needs to be carried up two floors. I am a human being and my rights matter," the woman added.
The woman's thread detailing her experience saw many comments from users, who congratulated her for getting married but sympathised with her for the troubles she had to go through on such an important day in her life.

The most influential response to the thread came from Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who congratulated the woman and said he would take appropriate action against the authorities.
"This is so sad to hear Virali. Hope they take note But don't be disheartened. So happy you've found love of your life. Many many congratulations to both of you. God bless," one user wrote.

"Many congratulations Virali! I am sorry for the horrific experience; that too on your wedding day. I wish you and your husband a lifetime of happiness May you continue to shine," another user wrote.