The last few days or maybe weeks have been brimming with news around disability. These include several updates in the form of a historical court ruling, controversies, (presumably) offensive videos, distasteful representation on a reputed magazine cover, influential individuals’ responses to brewing disagreements and more.
Believe you me, this makes me happy. Or even excited. At least we don’t have monotonal deliberation around disability. There is anger, frustration, vociferous expression, hearty articulation, a whole flurry of emotions in the public space.
Disability is complex and so should be the conversations around it. That’s what makes it real. Let me begin by citing some of these sensational items.
#1 Famed disability rights activist Nipun Malhotra filed a lawsuit against Sony Pictures for one of its productions, ‘Aankh Micholi’ which portrays persons with disabilities insensitively. In response, the Supreme Court ordered an immediate injunction of the film in its current form. It also mandated respectful and accurate depiction of disabilities in films, issuing a detailed set of guidelines to prevent disparaging future portrayals.
Grateful to the Supreme Court of India for creating guidelines on portrayal of Persons with Disabilities in visual media, following my petition against @SonyPicsIndia for lampooning PwDs in ‘Aankh Micholi.’
Happy about the distinction made in the judgement between “disability… pic.twitter.com/UC9YMD8EpN
— Nipun Malhotra (@nipunmalhotra) July 8, 2024
It’s important to note that the court distinguished between ‘disability humour’ and ‘disabling humour’, the latter demeaning individuals with disabilities. The seven-point guidelines designed to foster inclusion focus on avoiding derogatory terms like ‘cripple’ or ‘spastic’, steering clear of myths and stereotypes, consulting disability experts, sensitising creators and so on.
Of course, there’s the other side which feels that this impinges on their right to freedom of expression. In fact, that debate simmers and amplifies further in the next incident.
#2 Former Indian cricket team players Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina posted a video on Instagram where they were seen grooving to Vicky Kaushal’s latest song, Tauba Tauba. Except their movements were awkward and para-badminton star Manasi Joshi was the first one to call them out for mocking the gait of polio-affected people. Then ensued a series of clamorous gripes online.
While most disability advocates fumed at the inconsiderate act of celebrated sportsmen, some cautiously piped in their alternate views on tolerating a joke. However, an official police complaint was lodged by Arman Ali, Executive Director of the National Council for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP).
Here’s my take. We have become a society of increasingly easily offended people, thanks to the cultural shift propelled by polarising politics. So why should we expect any different reaction from Persons with Disabilities, who are equal citizens of the same country you and I inhabit. It’s a bad joke, one that reminds of me children in school, mimicking a certain teacher’s amble given her osteoporosis-ridden knees.
Should they have done it? No. Is it insensitive? Yes. Have we blown it out of proportion? Certainly. I say this about all news political as well. There is no need to play up silly occurrences and utterances as primetime headlines. Ditto for this one. By the way, a public apology was issued by the players.
#3 Trainee IAS Officer Puja Khedkar’s selection to civil service has come under the scanner. There is a criminal case accusing her of “misrepresenting and falsifying facts” to appear for the UPSC exam multiple times. She obtained three disability certificates in three years and a fake caste certificate. In 2007, while securing admission in a medical college, she was declared ‘medically fit’. In 2019, she secured a certificate of vision impairment from Ahmednagar district hospital. In 2021, she got a combined certificate of vision impairment and mental illness from the same hospital. In 2022, she filed an application for locomotor disability in a Pimpri hospital.
She also sought relaxation under the OBC quota, which was questioned after her father, Dilip Khedkar, a former Maharashtra government officer, was suspended facing a corruption charge. Her mother, Manorama Khedkar, who is a sarpanch, was arrested in an Arms Act case when a video of her brandishing a gun threatening some farmers surfaced on social media.
Disability rights groups have been united in their reaction to this egregious act. While opinions were circling around the misuse of disability and the usual ‘one dirty fish spoils the whole pond’, reactions from the non-disabled audience validated the analysis.
Senior Telangana IAS Officer Smita Sabharwal stirred a fresh row questioning the need for disability quotas in All India Services (AIS). She tweeted, “Does an airline hire a pilot with disability? Or would you trust a surgeon with a disability? The nature of AIS is field work, long taxing hours, listening first-hand to people’s grievances, which requires physical fitness.”
Unfortunately, this was seconded by Former CEO of Niti Aayog, Amitabh Kant (Former N) when he said, “I am in favour of SC/ST or OBC reservation. These reservations should continue, with the creamy layer regulations being enforced. However, the existing reservations for the physically and mentally handicapped and the proposed 1% reservation for the third gender for the top Civil Services need to be reviewed. They are being misused.”
Now that’s taking it a bit too far, because reassessing appropriate implementation of provisions and policies, will be opening an abysmal Pandora’s Box! By the way, I can instantly name Pranjal Patil and Beno Zephine. two women with disabilities who are IAS/IFS officers and have been doing superlative work despite the odds.
#4 And there’s been some contentious news across the Pacific Ocean. So far, we’ve only had Former US President Donald Trump taking jibes at persons with disabilities, and specifically those in the media. Well, stupidity and ableism don’t come with any copyright, do they? After the disastrous show by President Joe Biden in the first presidential debate and consequential speeches, The Economist featured a walker adorned with a Presidential Seal on its cover. And the headline read, “No way to run a country.”
Several slips there. Ableist representation in the use of a graphic that shouts, ‘crippling’ or ‘disabling’. The cover implies that if a person is physically disabled, or needs a crutch, he or she is incapable (read incompetent). Also, disrespecting several world leaders with disabilities. Like, Franklin D Roosevelt who was left paralysed waist down due to polio. Winston Churchill who had a speech impediment.
A rather poor editorial call by a publication one least expects it from. The only thing that can possibly change media representation of disability is the act of hiring and working alongside persons with disabilities. Also, bold calls like the photo carried by The Indian Express in November 2022 following the appointment of 50th Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud. It’s a candid shot of him with his family which includes two foster daughters who have a disability.
#5 But let’s end this piece on a rosy note. Or should I say pinkish? As part of this year’s global Barbie Fashionistas lineup, Mattel Inc. introduced the first ever Blind Barbie reinforcing inclusion and representation for all. Throughout the design process, Barbie partnered with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) to develop accessories, elbow articulation, textured fabric, accessible packaging, distinct eye gaze et cetera.
Last year, Barbie had introduced the first-ever doll with Down Syndrome (DS), partnering with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). Again, fixing the right hair, sculpt, glasses, outfit and so on. They have introduced its next Black Barbie doll with Down Syndrome along with the Blind Barbie. These dolls will soon be available in Indian stories as well.
Clearly the disability landscape is evolving across the world. One day, we cite progress and hullabaloo on another. As long as the discourse is relevant, consistent and moderate, I think we are headed in the right direction. It is these complexities surrounding disability that will open up the dialogue to challenge stereotypes of all kinds.
Wondering why MxMIndia publishes a disability advocacy column? Well, we strongly feel that the media can dramatically transform the world for persons with disabilities. This series attempts to help bring forth issues that the media must champion to create a truly inclusive and accessible India. Writing this column is Shruti Pushkarna, a former journalist and now a disability inclusion advocate based in New Delhi. Her views here are personal. To access the archives of her 95-plus columns, please visit: https://www.mxmindia.com/category/ columns/shruti-pushkarna/
If you have a view on the issues raise or would like to align with MxMIndia on this cause, write to us at editor [at] mxmindia.com.
Social media on the Union Budget was definitely amusing. Try as they might, most BJP-Modi supporters could not find enough to be happy about as taxes went up, indexation was removed and so on. Even the stock market, their dear indicator and their reference that all is well in Modi-land, fell after the Budget was announced. Given that most national budgets do not get the same attention elsewhere in the world – government expenditure, income and debt – in India, it’s always been a spectator sport. With high profile commentators (like Nani Palkhivala), interpreters and since economic liberalisation introduced by Dr Manmohan Singh as Union finance minister in 1991, a boon for graphic artists and editors addicted to comic strips.
Exploiting Opportunities, Overcoming Challenges 
