Justice disabled?

Delhi student Kabir Paharia's court fight reveals the cracks in medical admission norms for persons with disabilities

- KANU SARDA

KABIR PAHARIA, 18, led an ordinary life until he sat for the NEET exam last year. During the test, an invigilator approached him for his documents. Although Kabir had them with him, he grew anxious when the invigilator walked away and began discussing his case with other teachers. Despite the distraction, Kabir remained focused and continued with the exam.

Ten minutes later, the invigilator returned and informed Kabir that he would receive 30 extra minutes. Though puzzled, Kabir relaxed and maintained his pace. Three hours later, as students streamed out into the sweltering Delhi heat to reunite with their families, Kabir’s parents, Bhawna and Manish, grew increasingly worried. The exam centre had emptied out, but there was no sign of their son.

Bhawna, a mathematics teacher, was in tears, searching the premises with Manish, a businessman. Eventually, a security guard told them that one student was still inside. Thirty minutes later, Kabir emerged and hugged his mother, confused about the extra time but confident about his performance. He had already started calculating his expected score and was optimistic about cracking the exam.

That optimism, however, was short-lived.