The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has put up an advisory at stations asking "mentally disturbed persons” as well as those infected with certain diseases to refrain from using the transport system, reported Hindustan Times. According to the notice, people infected with leprosy will be allowed on the metro only if they have a certificate from a registered medical practitioner, stating that their condition is not contagious.

The health advisory has drawn severe criticism from all quarters, especially NGOs working on disability rights. “This is discriminatory and shows Delhi Metro’s ignorance. It is not acceptable at any cost. This has come at a time when the Supreme Court has passed a judgment in favour of an activist with cerebral palsy. He was offloaded from a plane four years ago,” said mental healthcare activist Naveen Kumar. He is a psychologist and a member of the trust that governs Manas Foundation in the capital.

“I was disgusted to see such a poster issued by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which is considered to be a sensitive organisation. How can they discriminate against people on the basis of disease? If they don’t want sick people to board the Metro, then they should shut the stations near hospitals,” said Sunil Kumar Aledia of Centre for Holistic Development, which works for the homeless. After noticing the advisory, the NGO has lodged a complaint against with the station controller of the Hauz Khas metro station.