For 28-year-old Mostafijur Rahman, who has severe mobility difficulties and weighs around 150 kilograms, everyday life has become increasingly dependent on his father. His family says the absence of an Aadhaar card has added to their difficulties, with his ration reportedly stopped for more than a year and a half.
The family lives in Mostafapara, Pamaipur, under Islampur police station in Murshidabad district. Mostafijur’s father, Abul Hasan, is a daily-wage labourer and says he is struggling to meet his son’s food, medical and other basic needs.
According to the family, Mostafijur was able to walk, play and communicate normally during his childhood. After his mother died when he was around seven years old, his physical condition gradually changed. His weight subsequently increased significantly, while his mobility and ability to communicate reportedly deteriorated. The family says Mostafijur is now unable to stand or leave the house without assistance and depends on his father for most routine activities, including eating and using the toilet.
Treatment interrupted amid financial hardship
Initially, Abul Hasan took his son to different places in search of medical treatment. However, the family says the combined cost of treatment, travel and everyday expenses eventually became unaffordable. As a daily-wage worker, Abul says he is also unable to work regularly because someone needs to remain with his son. The reduction in working days has further affected the family’s income. The family says the situation has created a cycle in which reduced income makes it increasingly difficult to arrange food and medical care, while Mostafijur’s condition prevents his father from working regularly.
Family says ration stopped over Aadhaar issue
According to the family, Mostafijur has been without an Aadhaar card despite several attempts to have one issued. They allege that his ration benefits have been stopped for nearly two years because of the absence of Aadhaar. Mostafijur requires considerably more food than an average person because of his size. They estimate that he consumes around 1.5 kilograms of rice and more than 500 grams of flour-based food each day. With the ration reportedly unavailable, the cost of arranging food has placed an additional burden on the family.
Abul Hasan said he is increasingly worried about his son’s future. “It is very difficult to see my son in this condition. The few services he used to receive are also being stopped because he does not have an Aadhaar card. He still does not have one, and his ration has been stopped for nearly two years. Now I hear that his disability allowance may also be stopped. I could not arrange proper treatment because of lack of money. I am also getting older, and my son cannot do anything on his own. I am very worried and feel helpless,” he said.
Residents seek government intervention
Local resident Mohammad Nasim Khan said authorities should consider the family’s situation on humanitarian grounds and take steps to facilitate the issuance of Mostafijur’s Aadhaar card. He also called for the restoration of ration benefits and arrangements for medical treatment through government health services.
Administration says it was unaware of the case
Administrative sources said they were not aware of the family’s difficulties and that no formal complaint had been received from them so far. Officials said that if the family approaches the administration with details of the problem, the matter will be examined and efforts will be made to provide assistance in accordance with the applicable rules.
Speaking to The Observer Post, Raninagar Congress MLA Zulfiqar Ali said he was not aware of the case but would look into the matter. “I do not know anything about the boy yet. I will look into it. I will speak to the local leadership and see what can be done. I am trying,” Ali added.
For Mostafijur and his father, however, the immediate challenges remain access to food, healthcare and essential public services. The family hopes that intervention by the administration will help resolve the Aadhaar-related difficulties and restore the support they say they have been unable to access.
