Thursday, the Supreme Court also delivered a big order to comedian Samay Raina and four other social media influencers, asking them to host persons with disabilities (PwD) at least twice in a month. They should use their shows, platforms, and events to create awareness and raise financial funds to support children with rare and life-threatening diseases like Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
The order was presented by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, and Justice Joymalya Bagchi who were hearing a case about a controversial video, where the influencers like Samay were caught playfully mocking physical disabilities. The Court showed severe disdain of the content but opted to follow a restorative approach instead of a punitive one.
The bench informed the influencers that the good will reach a long distance in case they are genuinely repentant and willing to cause a change in the lives of the specially-abled persons. The Court also added that the Court did not want to make them pay, as long as the individuals are taking significant responsibility in their social life. All suspect influencers had already issued unconditional apologies by their affidavits.
On receiving an offer made by the influencers, the Court noted that they have accepted to hold two fundraising or awareness events every month. They can also invite people with disabilities whose inspirational stories were introduced to the Court, so that they could join online or offline programmes to raise funds and awareness.
The bench was referring to submissions by senior advocate Aparajita Singh, who represented the NGO Cure SMA India Foundation. Singh also shed light on some of the most compelling stories of successful children with SMA and how the ridiculing content had seriously damaged their self-esteem and chances of raising money. She indicated that the cost of treatment would be up to 16 crore per child hence it would require governmental support.
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