The Delhi High Court has ordered the government to frame fair criteria allowing deaf sportspersons to apply for the 2025 Khel Ratna Award. The Court also extended the application deadline until the new framework is created.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has directed the Central government to devise a fair and inclusive selection process that enables deaf sportspersons to be considered for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award — India’s highest sporting honour.
The direction came in the case Virender Singh and Others v. Union of India and Others, where deaf athletes challenged the exclusion of hearing-impaired sportspersons from the award’s eligibility list.
Justice Sachin Datta, while hearing the matter, ordered the government to urgently frame suitable criteria so that deaf athletes can apply for the 2025 Khel Ratna Award. The Court also asked the government to extend the deadline for submitting applications until such a framework is ready.
The order stated,
“In the circumstances, the respondents are directed to consider framing an appropriate criteria for considering conferring of ‘Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, 2025’ to deaf sportspersons. Let the same be done expeditiously and so as to enable the deaf sportspersons to submit applications for the purpose of ‘Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, 2025’. Let the deadline/s for submission of the necessary application/s be extended suitably.”
The petition was filed by deaf athlete Virender Singh and others, who argued that the government’s current rules were discriminatory because they excluded deaf sportspersons while including para-athletes.
The Court examined the existing award criteria and agreed with the petitioners, noting that there was
“no scope for deaf sportspersons to even apply or be considered for conferment of the award,”
which effectively created a barrier for them.
Justice Datta observed that this exclusion amounted to unfair discrimination and went against the spirit of equality protected under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
The Court noted,
“The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 read with Schedule thereto, leaves no scope of discrimination between persons having hearing impairment vis-a-vis those having physical/locomotor disability. However, in the context of the aforesaid scheme, the lack of opportunity for deaf sportspersons has the impact of creating a discriminatory regime.”
The Court’s decision highlights that deaf athletes deserve the same recognition and opportunities as para-athletes, especially when both categories fall under the same law aimed at protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.
The petitioners were represented by advocates Ajay Verma, Smriti S Nair, and Sneha Sejwal. On behalf of the Central government, Central Government Standing Counsel (CGSC) Premtosh Mishra, along with advocates Prarabdh Tiwari and Anurag Tiwari, appeared in the matter.
This judgment marks a significant step toward ensuring inclusivity and equality in India’s sports recognition system.
It emphasizes that national awards like the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna should acknowledge excellence from all sections of athletes, including those with hearing disabilities.
Case Title:
Virender Singh and ors v Union of India and Ors
Click Here to Read More Reports On CJI BR Gavai
