GURUGRAM, October 11, 2026:
The Parents Forum for Stem Cells in Autism and Cerebral Palsy held a peaceful demonstration at Subhash Chandra Bose Park in Gurugram on Sunday and released an open letter seeking protection of children’s rights under Article 21 of the Constitution. The Forum addressed the letter to the President of India, the Prime Minister, the Union Health Minister, the Chief Justice of India and all judges of the Supreme Court.
The demonstration focused on concerns raised by families following the Supreme Court judgment in Yash Charitable Trust & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors., W.P. (C) 369/2022, concerning stem cell therapy for autism. The Forum, which says it represents around 5,000 parents and families, urged the authorities to consider the concerns of families whose children have undergone the treatment.
Dr Seema Mehrotra, a doctor and parent of an autistic child, said her child had shown improvement after undergoing stem cell therapy. “I am speaking not only as a doctor but also as a mother. I have personally witnessed improvement in my child, and I believe the experiences of families like ours deserve to be heard and examined fairly,” she said.
Many parents and grandparents also participated in the protest, sharing their concerns about the impact of the judgment on children who are already receiving or have previously undergone treatment. Sonia, one of the participating family members, said the gathering reflected the collective concern of families seeking recognition of their experiences and a meaningful opportunity to present their views.
The parents questioned whether affected families received an adequate opportunity to present their views during the proceedings. They also called for consideration of scientific papers, patient testimonials and other evidence submitted in the case.
In its open letter, the Forum urged the authorities to protect children’s fundamental rights, provide parents with a proper hearing and evaluate the scientific literature and reported patient experiences placed on record. It also called for due consideration of the work of Indian doctors and hospitals.
The Forum expressed concern over the direction to transition children already undergoing stem cell therapy towards institutions conducting clinical trials. It argued that the availability of suitable trials and the practical challenges involved in transferring children’s care require consideration.
The parents also highlighted the distinction between stem cell-derived products manufactured by companies and autologous cell procedures, in which cells are taken from and returned to the same patient. They called for the relevant regulatory framework and the perspectives of patients, families and treating doctors to receive due consideration.
The Forum further raised concerns about the implications of the judgment for children already receiving treatment and urged the authorities to consider the circumstances of affected families before implementing measures that could alter their access to care.
The organisers chose Gurugram for the demonstration, citing reported restrictions on public gatherings in Delhi. They said the protest aimed to bring attention to the concerns of parents and seek a meaningful opportunity for affected families to be heard.
Through the open letter, the Forum called for a fair consideration of the scientific, medical and legal issues involved, emphasising that decisions concerning children with autism and cerebral palsy should take their welfare and individual circumstances into account.
The Forum reiterated its demand for the protection of children’s rights under Article 21 and urged the authorities to address the concerns raised by families affected by the judgment.