Today(on 8th July),The Supreme Court has issued guidelines to prevent derogatory portrayals of persons with disabilities in films, emphasizing the harmful impact of terms like “cripple” and “spastic.” The ruling follows a plea by Nipun Malhotra concerning offensive references in the Hindi film ‘Aankh Micholi’.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
NEW DELHI: Today(on 8th July), The Supreme Court has established new guidelines aimed at preventing the “disparaging” portrayal of persons with disabilities in visual media and films. In a landmark verdict delivered on Monday, the Court emphasized that derogatory terms such as “cripple” and “spastic“ have acquired “devalued meanings” in societal perceptions, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and discrimination.
The ruling was in response to a plea filed by Nipun Malhotra, who highlighted that the Hindi film ‘Aankh Micholi’ contained deprecatory references to differently-abled individuals.
In delivering the verdict, a bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud remarked-
“Language perpetuates institutional discrimination, where terms like ‘cripple’ and ‘spastic’ now carry diminished societal perceptions of persons with disabilities.”
To address this issue, the bench laid down several comprehensive guidelines. One of the key directives mandates that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) must seek the opinion of experts before granting clearance for films depicting persons with disabilities. This measure aims to ensure that portrayals are respectful and accurate.
The bench further elaborated on the responsibilities of visual media, stating-
“Visual media ought to portray the diverse realities of persons with disabilities, highlighting their challenges, successes, talents, and contributions to society, without resorting to caricature or presenting exaggerated stereotypes.”
For the first time, the Supreme Court has established guidelines directing films, documentaries, and visual media to refrain from denigrating persons with disabilities.
Here’s what petitioner Nipun Malhotra said-
“I am delighted by this groundbreaking ruling, which I believe will greatly benefit individuals with disabilities. The Supreme Court’s establishment of new guidelines for their portrayal is a crucial step forward. The concerns I had after seeing the trailer and film ‘Aankh Micholi’ have been addressed, and I appreciate the Court’s decisive action on this matter.”
