Frame guidelines so hearing and visually impaired persons can enjoy movies on OTTs and in theatres: Delhi High Court to I&B Ministry

The Delhi High Court on Thursday ordered the Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to hold a meeting with movie producers, Over The Top (OTT) platforms, television broadcasters and other stakeholders to frame guidelines so that movies can be enjoyed by persons with visual and hearing disabilities..Justice Prathiba M Singh ordered the government to place the draft guidelines before the Court.“Discussion to be held to discuss the manner in which the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act and Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules as well as the circular issued by the Government of India is to be implemented. The ministry may frame guidelines in this regard and submit the draft guidelines before the court,” the order stated.The matter will now be heard on September 26. .During the hearing, the Court also ordered the Registrar General to consider having an interpreter for High Court proceedings as well. .The Court was hearing a plea filed by a group of lawyers, law students and hearing and visually impaired people seeking directions to the authorities to implement the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act and RPwD Rules so that the specially-abled persons can also watch and enjoy movies in theatres and on OTT platforms.On the last hearing in January, the Court had directed the authorities to consider having close subtitles and audio description features in Shahrukh Khan-starrer Pathaan..Justice Singh was informed today that the order has been complied with and Pathaan has released on Amazon Prime.Appearing for the petitioners, Advocate Rahul Bajaj made several suggestions that can be implemented so that similar features are available in theatres and on all movies that are released on OTTs..After considering the suggestions, the Court noted that there is an immediate need for implementation of provisions of the RPwD Act and Rules.“A perusal of the Rules shows that the term ‘facilities’ has been defined in a very broad manner. This court is of the opinion that a broad stakeholder consultation is required in order to ensure that the act as well as the government circular is implemented in letter and spirit,” the Court underscored.It, therefore, ordered the authorities to hold a meeting and come up with guidelines.It also directed the government authorities to consider having a sign language interpreter in the meeting so that hearing-impaired people can understand the developments.