My name is Banita Khanal, and I am an advocate for people living with Parkinson’s disease in Nepal. In 2025, I was selected for the Impact Leadership program at Kanthari Institute in Kerala, India — a place I believed stood for empowerment, inclusion, and leadership for change.

After arriving on campus, I shared my story candidly as someone living with Parkinson’s. Instead of being met with empathy, I was called by leadership and asked to leave the program without the chance to explain or continue. I was pressured into signing a document declaring I was “emotionally and mentally unfit” to participate, and my deposit of INR 1,00,000 has not been refunded.

Since returning to Nepal, I have felt socially isolated and unsupported by the institution and community that once welcomed me.

This experience is more than personal—it highlights a systemic failure to support and respect people with chronic neurological conditions. It’s not just about me, it’s about fairness, dignity, and inclusion.

I ask Kanthari Institute to:

1. Offer a formal written apology and correct the record regarding my dismissal
2. Refund my security deposit of INR 1,00,000
3. Commit to training their staff and fellows about Parkinson’s and similar chronic illnesses. 

Now, I call on global Parkinson’s and disability rights groups — and concerned individuals — to stand in solidarity.

By signing this petition, you affirm that people with Parkinson’s deserve dignity, opportunity, and respect. Together, we can challenge stigma and demand systemic change.