New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has directed the Central Government to expedite the formulation of appropriate criteria for awarding this year’s Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award to athletes with hearing impairments. A bench headed by Justice Sachin Dutta stated that the current criteria discriminate against athletes compared to para-athletes.
The High Court stated that the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act leaves no room for discrimination between those with hearing impairments and those with physical or mobility impairments.
The Court stated that denying hearing-impaired athletes opportunities to become medal winners in international sporting events is discriminatory. Therefore, appropriate criteria should be formulated as soon as possible to award this year’s Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award to athletes with hearing impairments so that they can apply. The Court directed that the deadline for submitting applications, which was originally October 28th, be extended.
The High Court was hearing a petition filed by Virendra Singh.
The High Court was hearing a petition filed by Virendra Singh, a renowned wrestler with hearing impairment. Virendra Singh has won gold medals multiple times at the Deaf Olympics and is also an Arjuna Awardee. Besides Virendra Singh, another petitioner also has a hearing impairment.
During the hearing, Ajay Verma, the lawyer representing the petitioners, stated that hearing-impaired athletes have been excluded from all government sports programs. Hearing-impaired athletes are being discriminated against compared to para-athletes. Even hearing-impaired athletes have been excluded from selection for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
