Rahul Ramugade

Rishabh bhai, 𝙗𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙠𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙚 𝙠𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙮𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙙𝙖 𝙠𝙖𝙯𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙖𝙞 😅 #TATAIPL 2026 👉 Starts SAT, 28th MAR, 5:30 PM

A few days ago, the Ministry of Sports issued a letter to DCCI directing that the words “India” and “Indian” must not be used, stating that DCCI is not a recognized National Sports Federation. I write this not in anger, but in pain. In December 2021, at the BCCI AGM in Kolkata, “Differently Abled Cricket supported by BCCI” was clearly recorded in the official minutes. At that time, no such objection was raised. From 2021–22 to 2024–25, DCCI and its sister bodies Blind Cricket, Deaf Cricket, Wheelchair Cricket, PD Cricket, and Mixed Disability Cricket continued conducting national and international events. When DCCI won the Champions Trophy, the Hon’ble Sports Minister himself invited the officials and players to the Ministry and congratulated them. If the use of “India” is incorrect today, was it correct yesterday? If recognition is questioned today, why was it celebrated before? These are not accusations. These are questions from the heart of a cricketer. The reality is this: differently able cricket in India survives not because of funding, not because of structured support, but because of passion. Players fund their own travel. State bodies run tournaments through small local sponsorships. Sometimes we manage one international event a year. Sometimes one national event in two years. There has been no structured financial backing from the Ministry. There has been no direct operational support from BCCI in formats like wheelchair cricket, despite references to being “supported.” The Hon’ble Supreme Court has clearly observed that disability cricket should function within BCCI under a dedicated committee. For years, we have been requesting the same. If tomorrow only BCCI holds National Sports Federation recognition, then who represents disabled cricketers? Where do blind cricketers go? Where do wheelchair Cricketers go? Where do deaf and PD cricketers go? And another painful question: Why was the notice sent only to DCCI? Across the country, many organizations raise funds in the name of disability cricket. Have all been examined equally? A disabled cricketer does not play for money. He plays for dignity. He plays to feel equal. He plays so that one day his family can say with pride “He represented India.” If the word “India” is taken away, what do we tell our players? That they represent no nation? I humbly request Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji you have transformed the lives of para-athletes in this country. Today, disability cricketers stand at a similar crossroads. We seek structure, accountability, and rightful inclusion under BCCI not conflict, not division. This is not about one organization. This is about thousands of differently abled Cricketers whose only wealth is courage. Please let this message reach those who can ensure that no disabled cricketer ever feels invisible in his own country. Somjeet Singh Captain Indian Wheelchair Cricket Team #DisabilityCricket #Inclusion #EqualRights #SupportDivyangCricketers #IndianCricket @abhishereporter @ani_digital @AnkanKar @BCCI @BoriaMajumdar @CricSubhayan @DrSanjivGoenka @ians_india @imRaviKChauhan @JayShah @JM_Scindia @BBCHindi @BBC @PTI_News @kushansarkar @kashyapvipul @VibhuBhola @vikrantgupta73 @sardesairajdeep @narendramodi @PMOIndia @mansukhmandviya @IndiaSports @sqnldrabhai @blind_cricket @ShyamSharmaAd @tehseenp @JaikyYadav16 @toi_gauravG @RubikaLiyaquat @AnjumLiyaquat @saintkishore @Nitin_sachin @harbhajan_singh @ABPNews @Indian_Analyzer @ARanganathan72 @ianuragthakur @ManojTiwariMP @myogiadityanath @GautamGambhir @wcia_official @dcciofficial

सिद्धिविनायकमंदिरात दिव्यांगांची हेळसांड(दिव्यांगांचा सोबतनिसास अमानुष वागणूक आणि धक्का बुक्की)केल्यामुळे खांद्याला दुखापत. @SVTMumbai @CMOMaharashtra @Tukaram_IndIAS @SadaSarvankar @mieknathshinde @AjitPawarSpeaks @CPMumbaiPolice @Mvs_divyaangR8s @TV9Marathi @ZeeNews @TOIMumbai

Today, I was not just insulted. I was reminded of the place society still assumes people like me belong to. I visited Medanta Hospital for my daughter’s paediatric consultation. As a parent, you enter a hospital already carrying anxiety, responsibility, and hope. You expect empathy. You expect systems to support—not strip you of dignity. This was my second visit. During my first visit, I genuinely appreciated a small but meaningful step toward inclusion: a designated accessible parking space at the hospital entrance. It felt like progress. It felt like acknowledgment. It felt like perhaps things were changing. Today, I parked at the same spot. And that illusion collapsed. I was told I could not park there unless I handed over my car keys to the parking in-charge—not requested, but demanded. When I asked a simple and logical question—“If this is a parking space for persons with disabilities, why is my independence conditional?”—the situation escalated. What followed was deeply disturbing: “We shouldn’t even give wheelchair users this parking. Tumhara dimaag kharab hai.” This was not just an insult. It reflected a mindset that still exists in our society. The incident worsened when, as my wife and I were leaving with our child, the same individual stood in front of us and blocked our way, stating that we would not be allowed to enter the hospital unless we followed his instructions—despite the vehicle being correctly parked under the clearly marked accessible sign (photograph attached). What was being sought was not compliance. It was submission. It was ego. Equally painful was the absence of basic humanity: No porter No assistance No apology No intervention My wife and I had to remove parking cones ourselves, manage the car, and handle a small child—all while being questioned for using a space that legally and visibly exists for persons with disabilities. This happened at a hospital. A place meant for care. A place meant for healing. A place meant to understand vulnerability. So I ask—not emotionally, but systemically: Why are security and ground staff not sensitized? Why are accessibility policies reduced to painted symbols, with no enforcement of respect? Why does a person with disability still need to justify their presence in spaces created for them? This is not about one individual. It is about unchecked power at the lowest levels and unchecked silence at the highest. In India, accessibility is still treated as charity, not a right. Inclusion is often confused with convenience. Let us be clear: this incident potentially constitutes a violation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which guarantees equality, non-discrimination, reasonable accommodation, and protection from humiliation. Accessibility without dignity is mockery. Infrastructure without empathy is branding, not inclusion. Policies without accountability are merely paperwork. We speak often of an “inclusive India.” But real inclusion is tested in parking lots, at entry gates, when no one important is watching. I share this not for sympathy or outrage—but because dignity should never be conditional, access should never be negotiated, and disability should never invite humiliation. If hospitals cannot guarantee respect, then the problem is not disability. The problem is us. @medanta @MSJEGOI @ANI @kashyapvipul @abhishereporter @PTI_News @themojostory @BDUTT @pankaj_p_sahni @RajeshwarS73 @sardesairajdeep @AmarUjalaNews @AnjumLiyaquat @UPGovt @myogiadityanath @anurag_5001 @bstvlive @ians_india @sqnldrabhai @dcciofficial @wcia_official

One of the key reasons I am part of the #IPL today is @JayShah. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition. #IOY2025 #NDTVIndianOfTheYear Video Courtesy: @ndtv

From legends like Jonty Rhodes and Justin Langer, who once visited the academy where I practiced in Lucknow and inspired our players with their words and presence… to being invited to Lucknow Super Giants practice sessions every moment reminds me how far wheelchair cricket has come. 🙌 And now, seeing AB de Villiers experience the spirit of wheelchair cricket with our Mumbai Wheelchair Cricket Team fills us with pride and motivation. 💪 A heartfelt thanks to Dr Sanjiv Goenka Sir for always supporting and motivating our wheelchair cricketers inviting them during every LSG match in Lucknow has been truly uplifting for our players. Your constant belief in inclusive cricket gives us strength to dream bigger. 💙 As we witness the incredible rise of women’s cricket, it stands as a beautiful example that cricket is truly everyone’s game. We too dream big to represent India on the world stage under the same umbrella as every other cricketer. For that, we need the support and inclusion of BCCI, because with the right backing, this dream can and will become reality. ♿🇮🇳 With guidance from legends and faith from the cricketing fraternity, Wheelchair Cricket will rise not as a separate story, but as a proud chapter of Indian Cricket itself. @DrSanjivGoenka @JontyRhodes8 @ABdeVilliers17 @JayShah @lonsaikia @BCCI @ICC @wcia_official @sqnldrabhai @narendramodi @CricCrazyJohns #WheelchairCricket #ABD360 #LSG #LucknowSuperGiants #CricketForAll #Inspiration #GameOfSpirit #Respect

@UPCACricket This “Differently Abled Cricket Committee” situation is quite surprising especially since Harron Rasheed, an able-bodied person, claims that UPCA has selected him as a member. As per the BCCI constitution, only a differently-abled former cricketer is eligible for such a post, and since the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) is the officially supported body of the BCCI, most state associations have such committees where only former differently-abled cricketers are serving. So the real question is why was there no public notification or application process for this post on the official website? If this claim isn’t genuine, it surely calls for serious action against such misleading appointments. And if it is genuine, then perhaps someone could explain what differently-abled merit Harron Rasheed was selected? @BCCI @lonsaikia @MithunManhas @ShuklaRajiv @abhishereporter @JayShah @pdevendra @AnkanKar @saintkishore @Fazal_scribe @VibhuBhola @sqnldrabhai @imRaviKChauhan @PTI_News Post link 🔗 facebook.com/share/p/19oz3x…

Mr. Manikrao Kokate, Hon’ble Minister of Sports & Youth Welfare, Maharashtra State, inaugurated the trophies of the upcoming Physical Disability Cricket West Zone Championship 2025 and Wheelchair Cricket West Zone Championship 2025. @wcia_official @dcciofficial @MumbaiCricAssoc

@TheMumbaiMirror thanks for finally sharing the real story. @RamugadeRahul well done! Some may call you “negative,” but let’s be real & you only seem negative to those who’ve mastered the fine art of pleasing the system. I genuinely appreciate how you’re voicing the truth for hundreds of wheelchair cricketers in Mumbai who’ve been conveniently ignored for far too long. It’s ironic we have the grounds, but apparently, our wheels are more damaging than years of mismanagement. The irony writes itself, doesn’t it? It’s about time @BCCI steps up and ensures proper inclusion, as clearly directed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. @MithunManhas @lonsaikia care to explain why wheelchair cricket still receives zero support? Why are Differently Abled Cricket activities still left outside the BCCI framework? Maybe accessibility isn’t the real issue acceptance is. And perhaps it’s time for other media houses as well to come forward, support the cause, and help the public see the complete and genuine picture. @JayShah @ICC @MumbaiCricAssoc @ajinkyasnaik @abhishereporter @AnkanKar @BoriaMajumdar @ians_india @PTI_News @sardesairajdeep @tehseenp @vikrantgupta73 @ANI @smitaprakash @RubikaLiyaquat @gargiraut15 @rawatrahul9 @toi_gauravG @pdevendra @kushansarkar @Vimalwa @mishradrrakesh @Vimalsports @kashyapvipul @VibhuBhola @Nitin_sachin @lal__kal @karishmasingh22