My mother and I have personally experienced the difficulties people with limited mobility encounter while accessing Hindu temples in India. Having Lyme disease makes walking a painful task for us, and despite using an Airwheel, we found no pathways that facilitated our movement.

India, a country renowned for its rich heritage and spirituality, is home to millions of Hindu temples, each showcasing the sacred rituals of Hindu dharma. However, it is exceedingly troubling that these spiritual havens remain inaccessible to people with mobility challenges.

According to the World Health Organization, about 1% of the population in India were using wheelchairs as of 2018. This number translates to a staggering 13.4 million people set to be denied the spiritual wellness and sense of community that is vital to their wellbeing due to inadequate accessibility measures.

Accessibility should never be a privilege but a basic human right. Hindu temples should be a place of inclusion that embraces all devotees, irrespective of physical capabilities.

We urge the Indian Government to enact and enforce legislation that mandates all Hindu temples in India be made wheelchair-accessible.

Your signature can ensure that everyone, including people with physical disabilities, can participate in religious activities with dignity and ease. Please sign this petition and help generate an India where faith has no barriers.