A protest was organized by members of the Chandigarh wheelchair cricket team and residents , who were living in ‘Cheshire Home’ at House No. 341, Sector 21, and were evicted from the premises recently by officials of the Chandigarh Administration. The physically challenged protesters were joined by members of the EmPower NGO, in the protest that was held outside ‘Cheshire Home’. The evicted occupants and wheelchair cricketers had been residing at the Sec 21 house for an extended period.
The protest highlighted the community’s outrage over the eviction and the harsh treatment of its residents.
Sharmita Bhinder, Founder of EmPower NGO, said, “The eviction was a deliberate and calculated attempt by the UT administration, as the Wheelchair Cricket Team was in Gwalior for the India Finals. Without prior notice or any intimation, they arrived with a police force, threw out the occupants’ belongings. The board of Cheshire Home was broken, and the rooms were sealed with the residents’ belongings still inside.”
Bhinder added that the administration made no provisions for the displaced wheelchair users’ accommodation, leaving them stranded without any support. Pooja, a deaf-mute and mentally challenged wheelchair user, was taken to Sector 15, while the others were assisted by NGOs and good samaritans, eventually finding shelter within the city.
Veer Singh Sandhu, Captain of the Chandigarh Wheelchair Cricket Team, who has just returned to the city after his team Chandigarh won the 4th National Wheelchair Cricket Tournament , shared his distress. He said, “This was done in our absence, while we were in Gwalior for the tournament. Despite the physical challenges we face, we’ve brought many laurels to the city in national tournaments of ‘Wheelchair Cricket’ . Despite this , the residents were treated like outcasts, and thrown outside without a second thought, in the cold winter.”
Sandhu also stated that, given that the matter was in court, the administration should have sent prior notice and made proper arrangements for accommodation before the eviction.
Jasbir Pal Singh Bains, grandson of T. P. S. Bains, who was the original owner of the property, was also present, his father was a major in the army and was unwell, his family was evicted in 1992 on the grounds of misuse. Bains informed that since then his family has filed RTI after RTI to pay a penalty to reinstate the resumed property but they have received no response.
Bhavana Tayal, Founder and President of Sadhana Vocational Institute for Intellectually Disabled Children being run in the building provided by Chandigarh Administration, said she appreciates the help provided by the administration, and even though they aren’t directly connected with the ongoing situation, she was here when the residents were forcibly removed from the property and came to give them refreshments. She feels the situation was handled very inhumanely and is shameful, in contrast with the NGO’s prior experiences with the administration.
Sharmita Bhinder concluded, “To challenge the high handedness of Chandigarh Administration, we have approached the appellate court seeking the restoration of residents to the premises at 341 Sector 21 A. We demand justice against the unlawful eviction from Cheshire Home and firmly believe that justice will prevail.”
