Supreme Court norms against offensive portrayal of disabilities in films | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: SC on Monday refused to interfere with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)’s decisions to ban public screening of Movies and documentaries, but laid extensive guidelines for visual media about avoiding content that denigrates and glorifies disability.
A bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala refused to interfere with the CBFC’s decision to clear the film ‘Aankh Micholi’, saying the censor board was an expert body to consider the insulting The nature of the content of a film aimed at people with disabilities, and whether the film is suitable for public viewing.
The CJI, whose judgment was termed “path-breaking” by Justice Pardiwala in open court, said: “As long as the overall message of the film justifies the depiction of derogatory language against persons with disabilities, it cannot be subjected to restrictions beyond those in Article 19(2). However, language that denigrates persons with disabilities, further marginalises them and adds to the disabling barriers in their social participation without the redeeming quality of the overall message of such depiction, must be approached with caution.” Visual media should strive to depict the diverse realities of persons with disabilities, showing not only their challenges but also their successes and contributions to society, the SC said.