Influencer Mocks Sign Language; Cricketers Mock PwD
Comedian Rohan Cariappa and former cricketers face backlash for videos mocking the Deaf community and people with disabilities, sparking widespread criticism.
A video of local comedian Rohan Cariappa mocking sign language and the Deaf community has gone viral on social media, attracting widespread criticism. Rohan, who has about 1.3 lakh followers on Instagram, was seen in the video pretending to be a sign language interpreter for a politician. Instead of accurately translating, he made obscene hand gestures, pointing to his chest for "big" and making inappropriate movements for "swinging in the park." The video received a lot of negative comments, and though no complaints have been filed, Rohan deleted the video on 17th July 2024.
In another incident, former cricketers Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Suresh Raina faced backlash for a video they posted on Instagram. The video, meant to be a funny take on Vicky Kaushal's "Tauba Tauba" song, showed them limping and holding their backs, mimicking the way some disabled people walk. Disability activists, including para-badminton star Manasi Joshi, criticized the video as disrespectful. Harbhajan Singh apologized on social media, stating they did not intend to offend anyone and deleted the video.
Arman Ali, executive director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), filed a complaint against the cricketers and Meta India for mocking people with disabilities. He emphasized the harm such content can cause and called for penalties beyond a simple apology. The Differently-abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) also expressed disappointment, leading Harbhajan to promise and ensure the video's removal. Despite apologies, the incidents highlight the need for greater sensitivity and awareness regarding disabilities.
