Lack of disabled-friendly facilities in cinema halls of Chandigarh (symbolic photo)
Jagran correspondent, Chandigarh. Second Innings Association has submitted a formal complaint to the Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh regarding violation of accessibility standards under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016. In the complaint, serious concern has been expressed over the lack of basic facilities for disabled people and senior citizens in many cinema halls of the city.
According to the association, a recent incident at a cinema hall exposed the real state of accessibility. The cinema hall had no ramps, no lifts, no safe seats for wheelchair users and no accessible toilet facilities. Stairs were the only option to access all seats, making the space unsafe and exclusionary for people with limited mobility.
The complaint stated that a very old and frail woman had to climb a whole flight of stairs to reach her seat. He did not even use the toilet during the film due to fear of falling. After the show ended, she appeared physically tired and mentally disturbed while coming down the stairs again. The association described this as a direct result of inaccessible and dangerous infrastructure.
The Second Innings Association says the problem is not limited to a single cinema hall but reflects a widespread and systemic failure in most cinemas in Chandigarh. Barrier-free entry, safe seats for wheelchairs and accessible toilets are legally mandatory at public entertainment venues under the RPwD Act, 2016, yet the rules are being blatantly violated.
The association has also raised questions on administrative oversight, asking on what basis cinema licenses are being issued or renewed when basic accessibility standards are not met. He warned that the lack of accessibility is discriminatory and could lead to a serious accident in the future, for which the cinema management as well as the concerned authorities will be held responsible.
Second Innings Association has demanded that accessibility audit of all cinemas in Chandigarh be conducted immediately, strict legal action should be taken against those violating the rules and cinema licenses should be linked to verified accessibility compliance under the RPwD Act.
Association President R. Of. Garg said that if the laws remain limited only on paper and citizens from weaker sections have to put their safety at stake even for simple entertainment, then it will be a collective failure of both the administration and the society. He has demanded immediate action on this complaint.
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