Objection and Complaint Regarding Offensive and Discriminatory Portrayals of Persons with Disabilities in Indian Media, Seeking Immediate Action for Redressal

[Twinkle Soni]

To: Hon. Chairperson & Office Bearers

Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India

National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD)

O/o Chief Disabilities Commissioner of India

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

Supreme Court of India

All Relevant Law Enforcement Agencies

Copy to:  Relevant organisation working for the rights of person's with disabilities

Subject:

Objection and Complaint Regarding Offensive and Discriminatory Portrayals of Persons with Disabilities in Indian Media, Seeking Immediate Action for Redressal

:

The pervasive and demeaning portrayal of persons with disabilities in Indian media demands immediate action. Studies show that negative portrayals of disability in media contribute to widespread discrimination, with over 80% of media depictions of disability found to be stereotypical and harmful. These portrayals perpetuate harmful stereotypes, undermine the dignity of PwDs, and contribute to social exclusion. Such portrayals violate the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), and various constitutional and human rights provisions. This petition seeks urgent intervention from the concerned authorities to address this widespread issue.

Supporting Evidence:

Below is a categorized list of media instances that exemplify the most egregious and representative forms of ableist portrayals. These examples demonstrate the normalization of harmful stereotypes, disrespectful language, and the trivialization of disabilities.

Comedic Misuse of Disability:

Hera Pheri (2000):

Dialogue: "Andhe ho kya?" (Are you blind?)

Context: The character Baburao, who is visually impaired, is mocked for his disability. His impairment is used as a comedic device, trivializing blindness.

Housefull 3 (2016):

Dialogue: "Main andha hoon, woh langda hai, aur woh bahra hai." (I’m blind, he’s lame, and he’s deaf.)

Context: Disabilities are faked by characters for comedic purposes, reducing them to punchlines rather than addressing their real-life challenges.

Comedy Nights with Kapil (2013–2025):

Context: The show frequently used disability-related jokes such as "Langda ban ke natak kar raha hai" (Pretending to be lame), "Andha hai kya?" (Are you blind?), and "Bahra hai kya?" (Are you deaf?) to mock individuals for comedic effect. This highly popular and widely viewed television show normalized the mockery of disabilities, perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

Disability as an Insult:

Golmaal Returns (2008):

Dialogue: "Langda ho gaya kya?" (Have you become lame?)

Context: Disability is used as an insult in an attempt to belittle a character, reducing physical disability to a punchline.

Sacred Games (2018-2019) - Netflix:

Context: The term "langda" is used in a derogatory manner to insult a character, equating disability with weakness or incompetence. Such language reinforces negative perceptions of disability.

Mirzapur (2018-Present) - Amazon Prime Video:

Character: Munna Tripathi

Context: Frequently uses terms like "langda" and "andha" as insults, linking disability to personal inadequacy and reinforcing societal stigma. 

Villainizing Disability:

Omkara (2006):

Character: Langda Tyagi (Lame Tyagi)

Context: The character is named after his disability, reducing his identity to his limp. His disability is used to portray him as a villain, reinforcing harmful stereotypes that disabled individuals are dangerous or less capable.

The "Super-Cripple" Stereotype:

Surf Excel Advertisement (2019):

Context: A child with a disability is portrayed as an inspirational figure, overcoming challenges in an extraordinary way. This "super-cripple" stereotype suggests that PwDs are only valuable when they achieve exceptional feats, which can create unrealistic expectations and diminish the need for systemic accommodations and support. It reduces their value to their ability to "overcome" disability, rather than acknowledging their inherent dignity and humanity.

Impact of the "Super-Cripple" Stereotype:

This portrayal can lead to internalized ableism among PwDs, making them feel pressured to accomplish extraordinary feats in order to be considered worthy by themselves and by society. It also diminishes the need for structural changes, such as accessible infrastructure and workplace inclusion, by presenting disability as something that should be "overcome" rather than accepted as part of diversity.

Impact of These Representations:

Normalization of Insensitivity: Such portrayals make it socially acceptable to mock, belittle, or trivialize disabilities in everyday life.

Reinforcement of Harmful Stereotypes: Disability is often depicted as something to pity, overcome, or ridicule, perpetuating misconceptions that PwDs are weak, unworthy, or inferior.

Psychological Impact: These portrayals contribute to the marginalization of PwDs, leading to lowered self-esteem, social isolation, and emotional distress.

Social Exclusion: The negative portrayal of disabilities in the media exacerbates exclusion in education, employment, and social participation, further hindering equality.

Demands for Redressal:

To the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC):

Implementation of Guidelines: CBFC must establish clear guidelines to prohibit the use of disability as a comedic device, the portrayal of disabled characters as inherently villainous, and the use of ableist language. These guidelines should be publicly available and easily accessible to filmmakers and the public.

Penalties for Non-compliance: Enforce penalties such as fines or suspension of licenses for filmmakers who violate these guidelines, ensuring that the portrayal of disabilities is respectful and inclusive.

To the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting:

Establish a Disability Representation Task Force: Form a dedicated committee to advise on disability representation in media, comprising PwDs, disability rights advocates, and media professionals. This task force should have a clear mandate and timeline for achieving its goals, ensuring that inclusive and respectful media representation becomes standard practice.

Public Awareness Campaigns: Launch national campaigns, including PSAs, that educate the public about the harmful impact of ableism in media and promote positive portrayals of PwDs. These campaigns should focus on both media professionals and the general public.

To the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD):

Reporting and Tracking System: Create a system for reporting and tracking instances of disability discrimination in media. This system should be easily accessible online and available in multiple languages to ensure it is inclusive and widely used.

Advocacy for Disability Rights in Media: Continue advocacy efforts to ensure that media portrays PwDs in an authentic and respectful manner, emphasizing their contributions and abilities.

To the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC):

Investigation and Action: Investigate complaints of discrimination based on media portrayals and take appropriate action. The NHRC should prioritize cases where such portrayals have caused harm to the dignity or reputation of PwDs.

To the Public and General Media:

Ongoing Sensitivity Training: Mandate ongoing sensitivity training for all media creators, including actors, directors, writers, and crew members. This training should include practical exercises, case studies, and education on intersectionality, as disability intersects with other social identities such as gender, caste, and religion. The training should be regularly updated to reflect the evolving understanding of disability issues.

Promote Positive Representation: Encourage media to showcase disabled characters as multi-dimensional individuals, highlighting their strengths and humanity rather than reducing them to their impairments.

Conclusion:

The time for passive observation is over. We urge the authorities to act decisively and swiftly to dismantle ableist portrayals in media and ensure a future where PwDs are represented with dignity and respect. It is critical to take immediate action to prevent further harm and promote an inclusive society for all.

Yours faithfully,

Jitendra Kumar Soni

Convenor, Divyang Forum 2023

Address: 49/19, Rabindra Sarani, Opp. Shanti Niketan Hall, Near Jalan Variety Shop,

Rishra, Hooghly, West Bengal - 712248

Mobile: 7439848244 / 7044337707

Email: sonitwi...@gmail.com / divyangf...@gmail.com