Kiran Mazumdar Shaw On Viral Wheelchair Queue Video: ‘Charge ₹5,000 And See How Many Are Genuine’
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw On Viral Wheelchair Queue Video: ‘Charge ₹5,000 And See How Many Are Genuine’
A viral clip of Indian flyers using wheelchair assistance has sparked a heated debate on misuse of priority services at airports.
A video showing a long queue of Indian passengers waiting in wheelchairs at an airport has triggered widespread discussion online, with claims that many travellers misuse the service to avoid long lines and get priority boarding. The clip, reportedly shared by a Chinese X user, alleged that on certain India–US routes, up to 80 percent of passengers appear to request wheelchair assistance to access early boarding and full-service support.
The same video later circulated widely in India, with posts claiming that around 30 percent of passengers on India–US flights ask for wheelchairs — a number attributed to Air India. Many of those seen in the viral clip appeared to be seated comfortably without any visible disability, leading to concerns that able-bodied travellers may be taking advantage of a service intended for those with genuine needs.
Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar Shaw reacted strongly to the circulating posts. Reposting the video, she suggested a deterrent: “They should charge an additional ₹5000 per airport n then they will see how many genuine passengers there are.” Her comment quickly ignited further debate.
Netizens responding to her post were divided. Several argued that misuse is real and widespread, pointing out that genuine disabled passengers often suffer because priority services become overloaded. Others countered that many elderly Indian travellers struggle with airport processes — language barriers, multiple security checks and terminal transfers — leading their children to arrange wheelchairs for convenience rather than fraud.
One user wrote, “It is not about walking, it is about the process… their children book wheelchairs so they can go through security and baggage collection without tension.” Another commented that many parents feel uncomfortable using the service but are persuaded for convenience: “Disabled is just a word… and it’s only $100.”
Some also highlighted a key challenge: wheelchair services are free because airlines cannot impose extra charges on genuinely disabled passengers. “Solution needs to be on the lines of making a distinction on eligibility,” one user said, arguing that verification systems — not blanket fees — may be a more ethical answer.
As the debate grows, the viral clip has revived questions about access, empathy and the balance between convenience and fairness in modern air travel.
