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A petition in the Supreme Court has sought direction to provide an in-frame sign language interpreter in all the official press briefings conducted by the Prime Minister, other Ministers of the Union Government, Chief Ministers of all the States and other Ministers of the State Government.

The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by disability rights activist and Advocate M Karpagam through Advocate Nupur Kumar stated that the national census 2011 estimates that, nearly 2.1 % of the population in India is disabled. But, as per the World Bank estimates, nearly 10% to 15% of the population in the country is suffering from some kind of disability.

Whereas, sign language is the bridge that connects us to the world of those who have an impaired hearing or verbal disability, the plea added.

Karpagam has alleged that all the press briefings held in India are neither inclusive nor accessible, irrespective of the fact that these press briefings serve to be an important way to create awareness and educate the general public about the various developments in the Country.

It was stated that in regards to the Covid-19 pandemic the Prime Minister, Health Minister and the Health Secretary had a daily presence on the television, whereas, all these news briefings did not provide in-frame sign language interpreters even during the peak of the pandemic where information was essential.

Karpagam further stated, "Courts around the World, including the US and the UK have consistently held that no availability of in-frame sign language interpreters during press briefs, especially during the pandemic, during state of emergencies, natural disasters, where imminent information is divulged by the Governments for the knowledge and benefit of the public at large, is in violation of the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Equal Opportunity Act respectively."

Cause Title: M Karpagam vs Union of India & Ors.