Hotel Turns Back Activist With Disability For Fear He'd 'Soil The Bed'

Chennai: A hotel in Tamil Nadu's Tirucherapalli has been accused of startling insensitivity by denying a room to an activist with special needs, saying that he would "soil their bed".

Rajiv Rajan, 44 who has overcome cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, had made an online booking for staying the night on Thursday at Hotel Anbu Park to participate in a sports meet. On his arrival, when his escort asked for a ramp, Mr Rajan says, the hotel refused accommodation, saying he would "soil their bed". In a mobile phone recording - the authenticity of which could not be verified immediately - the hotel manager is heard saying, "A similar guest earlier had soiled the bed. It became difficult for the next guest."

The hotel manager Ajith Kumar, admitted that Mr Rajan was denied accommodation. "He only had his driver. Without an escort how would he move? We were willing to serve him but he should have had a relative to assist him. Earlier, a disabled guest had soiled the bed and it was difficult for the guest who checked in afterwards," he told NDTV.

Mr Rajan said, "This is unacceptable. I had a confirmed booking but they forcibly cancelled the booking and returned my payment. They can't decide who will be my escort and they can't decide if I want an escort or not. It is my right to decide on both."

The issue has sparked outrage. TMN Deepak, President of the December 3 Movement, which works for the rights of people with special needs, said, "This is a classic case of discrimination against the disabled. It's a violation as it distinguishes, restricts and excludes a disabled person."

The Tamil Nadu State Commissioner for People with Disabilities, V Arun Roy, said, "We will take suo motu action and issue a notice to the hotel. No one can be discriminated on the basis of disability."