Srikanth Bolla, The Blind Teen Who Took Indian Education System To Court And Won!

When the blind teenager of Andhra Pradesh chose to sue the education system just to learn science, he was not only fighting on his behalf, he was secretly redefining the meaning of inclusive education in India. As a successful entrepreneur, Srikanth Bolla is a live case study, an epitome of how one court battle can reveal the gaping holes between policy commitments  and ground reality.​

Who is Srikanth Bolla?

Srikanth Bolla is an entrepreneur with a vision of a multi-million dollar company, Bollant Industries, in Andhra Pradesh who is visually impaired and hires numerous persons with disabilities. Being born blind, he was raised in a world of discrimination even starting with his primary school years when he was often made to sit alone and deemed as lesser humans due to his impairment. Class 11-12 was his turning point as the state board did not allow him to major in science and maths because he was blind! Seriously, that was the excuse he was given! 

The boy who sued the system

Under the Andhra Pradesh State Board rules then, blind students were simply not allowed to study science and mathematics at senior secondary level; they were pushed only towards arts and humanities, citing diagrams, graphs and visual elements as excuses. This rule was disputed in court by Srikanth, with the help of his school and a teacher, who claimed that blindness was no reason to deprive a student of studying science. Six months later, the court ruled in his favour after a legal battle and this allowed blind students to choose science and maths in the schools of AP state board.​

What Happened Next?

The next thing that happened next was a turning point both in the life of Srikanth Bolla and inclusive education in India. His story caught the attention of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India, who became his mentor and collaborator on several projects at the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) and Lead India 2020 movement. With the inspiration and determination, Srikanth became the first visually impaired international student in MIT and another trail-blazing path was created for the disabled students in higher learning. 

Additionally, his life story inspired a biographical film titled “Srikanth,” which brought his journey from adversity to achievement to wider audiences, spreading awareness about disability rights and inclusion.  

Where is Srikant Bolla?

Today, Srikanth Bolla is the chairman and founder of Bollant Industries, a Hyderabad based company, producing eco-friendly products such as recycled paper and packaging, and that has hundreds of employees with disabilities. Bollant Industries has substantially increased, its present valuation stands at around Rs 500 crore and the company is expected to emerge as a unicorn organization in the near future. The success of Srikanth does not just demonstrate what can be accomplished despite disability but also demonstrates how inclusive businesses can have a significant social and economic effect together. 

Was he right in this action?

From an ethical and constitutional perspective, the decision of Srikanth to sue was not an act of rebellion but an assertion of a fundamental right to equal education. The decision of the court recognized that blanket academic bans based on disability are discriminatory and contrary to equality and dignity guaranteed under the Constitution and disability rights law. In fact, recent judgments pronounced by the Supreme Court in medical education have spoken to the same logic, criticising overbroad disability-based exclusions and asking regulators to adopt a more inclusive, case‑by‑case approach.​

What this teaches today’s students

For students, Srikanth's story is a reminder that: Saying “system aisa hi hai” is a choice but using legal and democratic routes to question unfair rules is also a choice and it can change policy for thousands, not just for one person.​

Students must remember that good marks are important but talent matters more and so does awareness of rights, courage to document injustice and readiness to seek expert help (from teachers, lawyers or rights groups) instead of silently accepting bias.​ His case also shows that activism doesn't always mean a protest in the street; a well-argued petition, supported by evidence, can permanently change the way boards and universities frame the eligibility rules.​ 

What colleges and universities need to know

NEP 2020 speaks strongly of “equitable and inclusive education” and devotes an entire section to disability inclusion, assistive technologies, and barrier-free campuses. However, ground studies show that even today, large numbers of mainstream teachers are not trained to manage students with disabilities, and their institutions struggle with basic accessibility, from the format of reading material to physical infrastructure. 

Colleges and universities need to go beyond token ramps and scholarships to actually redesign curricula, invest in assistive technology, train faculty, and establish transparent grievance redressal mechanisms for students with disabilities.​ 

Do gaps remain in the promises of NEP? 

Research on inclusive education within the framework of NEP 2020 notes that although the vision of the policy is progressive, the implementation is inadequate and financially unequal, especially in regards to children and youth with disabilities. The entire burden of inclusion is usually on the special educators, regular teachers are inadequately trained and the special schools receive low grants per-capita even though their work is demanding. Even with favorable policy wording on paper, students such as Srikanth continue to face practical challenges in the form of restricted subject selection, unavailable examination, and staff low-awareness in the admissions department.​ 

From “special case” to systemic change

The legal battle that Srikanth Bolla won should not be looked upon as a feel-good exception but as an indication that when systems are not responsive to the rights of individuals, courts are the school of last resort. The framework of inclusive education developed by NEP 2020 is only successful, as boards, colleges, and regulators take the initiative to eliminate the barriers that exist behind the scenes rather than waiting until the next student lodged a case.

To the readers and students in India, I have some questions you need to ask yourself: Will you be a silent beneficiary of bad rules, or will you be the next student to change the system not only for yourself but for all the students who will follow? 

About The Author

Kanishka, a versatile content writer and acclaimed poetess from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, combines her passion for creativity with a strong commitment to education. Beyond crafting compelling narratives, she is dedicated to enlightening readers by sharing insights and knowledge they often don’t encounter elsewhere. She has been featured in several national and international online magazines, and anthologies. Her talent and dedication to literature have earned her two national records— one for composing the longest reverse poem and another for compiling an all-female anthology that celebrates women’s voices. Her love for storytelling, philosophies, and mythologies fuels her mission to inspire and educate, shaping minds through the power of words and knowledge.