Para-Athlete Forced to Sleep on Train Floor, Prabhu Orders Enquiry

Suvarna says she repeatedly requested for a disabled-friendly berth, but no one listened.

Indian para-athlete says she was forced to sleep on the train’s floor, denied a berth for the disabled. (Photo: ANI)

A day after medal-winning para-athlete Suvarna Raj was allegedly forced to sleep on the floor of a train, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has ordered an inquiry into how she was treated on Sunday.

While traveling on the Nagpur-Nizamuddin Garib Rath Express, the 34-year-old wheelchair-bound athlete was denied a differently-abled berth despite repeated requests.

Raj, who was allotted an upper berth, had to sleep on the floor of the train.

“Have ordered enquiry in the issue. We are serious about ensuring smooth travel for the differently-abled," Prabhu tweeted.

According to an NDTV report, Raj is associated with activism for 12 years.

She has represented India in para table tennis tournaments and won two medals at the Thailand Para Table Tennis Open in 2013.

She represented Yogendra Yadav's party Swaraj India in the recently-held Municipal Corporation of Delhi elections. She had contested from Babarpur area in North-east Delhi.