Gujarat: Sign Language Mocked at Bhavnagar Restaurant
A Deaf man in Gujarat stood up to public mockery of sign language by using evidence and the law, choosing awareness and accountability over punishment.
Mockery often hides in plain sight. For many Deaf people, something as natural as signing in public—on a train, in a restaurant, on a bus—can attract unwanted attention. Sometimes it’s curiosity. But too often, it turns into ridicule. Hearing groups imitate sign language, not to understand, but to mock—twisting gestures into something vulgar, offensive, and deeply disrespectful. So how do you respond? Some stay silent. Some walk away. Some confront. And some choose the law. A recent incident in Bhavnagar, Gujarat shows what standing up can look like. On the night of 18th April 2026, a group of Deaf men were dining at Rocks N Logs restaurant. At a nearby table, a group of hearing men began mimicking their signs—subtly at first, then increasingly vulgar. Manan Shah, part of the Deaf group, noticed. He ignored it initially. But when it continued, he took action. Instead of reacting impulsively, Manan approached them calmly. He typed a message on his phone and showed it: questioning their behaviour and calling out the disrespect. They denied it. He returned to his table—but stayed alert. As the men left, Manan did something crucial—he secured evidence. He requested the CCTV footage and recorded it. Two days later, on 20th April, he filed a police complaint under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, citing the protection of dignity and language. With clear video proof, the police acted swiftly. All four men were identified and arrested. At the police station, the officer didn’t just enforce the law—he educated them. He made it clear: Deafness is not a flaw, and sign language is not a joke. It is a language, a culture, and a right. The men, now aware of their actions, showed genuine remorse. At Manan’s request, they recorded a public apology, promising never to repeat such behaviour. The law allows strict punishment—imprisonment and fines. But this time, Manan chose awareness over punishment. He forgave them, with a clear warning: next time, it won’t be the same. Because respect isn’t optional. And silence is no longer the only response.
