6 months ago
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The Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to framework due criteria for conferring the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, 2025 connected proceeding impaired sportspersons, noting that the existing criteria discriminates against them vis-a-vis para sportspersons.
The court, successful the bid passed connected Monday (November 3, 2025), said the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 leaves nary scope of favoritism betwixt persons having proceeding impairment vis-a-vis those having carnal oregon locomotor disability.
It added, successful the discourse of the ‘Scheme of Cash Awards for Medal Winners’ successful planetary sports events, deficiency of accidental for deaf sportspersons has the interaction of creating a discriminatory regime.
Justice Sachin Datta said the criteria beryllium framed expeditiously to alteration the deaf sportspersons to taxable applications for the intent of award, and directed that the deadline, which was October 28, for submission of applications beryllium extended suitably.
The tribunal was proceeding a plea by Mr. Virender Singh, internationally renowned proceeding impaired wrestler, multi-time Deaflympics golden medallist and an Arjuna Awardee, on with different deaf sportsperson.
Mr. Singh, represented by advocator Ajay Verma, challenged exclusion of deaf athletes from cardinal authorities sports schemes and alleged discriminatory attraction vis-a-vis para-athletes and sought parity betwixt deaf and para-athletes.
His plea stated that portion framing the criteria for conferring the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2025, nary dispensation is created for proceeding impaired sportspersons.
After going done the criteria, the tribunal observed that determination is nary scope for proceeding impaired sportspersons to adjacent use oregon beryllium considered for conferment of the award, making it discriminatory against deaf sportspersons vis-a-vis para sportspersons.
“In the supra conspectus, determination is merit successful the contentions of the petitioner/applicant that the aforesaid criteria discriminate against deaf sportspersons vis-a-vis para sportspersons,” it said.
