Where’s your heart, BMC? 30 disabled kids, adults locked out of municipal-run day care centre in Mumbai

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is India’s richest municipal body, with a budget that is much bigger than some of the country’s smaller states. But clearly, when it comes to compassion, it is poor.

What else can explain the BMC’s act of locking out 30 disabled children and adults for over six hours from their day care centre at Kalina, a Mumbai suburb? The group had to go without access to a washroom or drinking water as well.

When the group came to the centre, they found the locks of the day care centre changed. A board bearing the name of the institution, Cerebral Palsy Association of India (CPAI) , was torn down as well. They had to wait outside for hours until their bus could take them home.

Authorities at the CPAI said they have no idea why this was done. The centre has its papers in place. In April this year, the management was given 48 hours to vacate the premises as the BMC officials needed a new office. Even if the centre is on BMC land, the management says they should have been treated with more respect.

There are 56 people ranging in age from six to 60 years who are enrolled in the day care centre. It provides therapy to those afflicted with cerebral palsy, autism and deafness, among other disabilities. The centre is open Monday to Friday, between 10 am and 4.30 pm. It has benefitted many adults and children, especially kids that mainstream educational institutions could not accommodate.

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