Police complaint against Yuvraj Singh, 3 other ex-cricketers for 'mocking' people with disabilities
Aditi Tandon
New Delhi, July 15
A viral Instagram video showing Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina and Gurkeerat Mann mimicking persons with disabilities while gyrating to a hit film song has led to a police complaint in the national capital.
Executive Director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People Arman Ali has filed a complaint with Amar Colony police station here against the former India international cricketers demanding that they be booked under the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2016.
The police have registered the complaint.
Speaking to The Tribune, Ali said the complaint had been filed against former cricketers for intentionally insulting and mocking the differently abled and perpetuating stereotypes against them.
“This is to bring to your notice that celebrated cricketers Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Gurkeerat Mann have released a video on social media platform Instagram where they can be seen intentionally insulting, mimicking and making fun of persons with disabilities. The video was uploaded from Harbhajan Singh’s handle on July 14, and features the cricketers limping in a manner offensive to PwDs. The entire act has been done in the disguise of casual entertainment,” the complaint states.
The cricketers are dancing to Vicky Kaushal’s song ‘Tauba Tauba’ from his upcoming film, ‘Bad Newz’.
Ali has also filed a police complaint against the Meta Vice President for allowing the offensive video to be uploaded in violation of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which bars circulation of content that violates user guidelines.
Section 92 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, deals with punishment for offences of atrocities against the disabled.
It states, “Whoever intentionally insults or intimidates with intent to humiliate a person with disability in any place within public view shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to five years and with fine.”
Ali said such casual portrayals by celebrities create a highly disabling atmosphere for people who struggle daily to integrate in society.
Ali’s complaint comes days after the Supreme Court said creative freedom of a filmmaker under Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution cannot include the freedom to lampoon, stereotype, misrepresent or disparage those already marginalised.
The SC laid down a framework for portrayal of PwDs in visual media that aligns with the Constitution’s dignity affirming objectives and with the Rights of PwD Act, 2016.
The ruling came on a petition stating that Hindi film ‘Aankh Micholi’ misrepresented the disabled and violated their constitutionally protected rights.
“The Vicky Kaushal song is trending all over and when people see the video of Harbhajan Singh they will have the sole recollection of celebrities mocking the disabled. This will further fuel marginalisation of the marginalised,” Ali said.
