Ration-metric: Hunger and despair among the leprosy-affected during the COVID-19 pandemic in India
In various corners of the country, the citizens have suffered due to the unprecedented damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, in some colonies in Bihar, the despair and desperation is much starker. People affected by leprosy have been unable to avail ration from government stores as the biometric identification system fails to recognize them.
A Human Rights Law Network production in association with Karwan e Mohabbat
"The sudden lockdown
handicapped us more."
"Yes, we have been to the
DM, the Collector and other
officers. They shoo us away."
"The machine won't
read our fingerprints,
so we don't get ration."
"People affected with leprosy
are facing starvation
and hunger deaths."
"They kept telling us they
will take our retina
match but never
came to check."
"In my deepest despair
I have wanted to kill
myself."
"We are barely able to manage.
Some days we go to sleep on a
glass of water."
