Ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Shri Praveen Khandelwal, Member of Parliament from Chandni Chowk and a member of the Treasury Bench, has written to Shri Kiren Rijiju, Hon’ble Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, requesting the introduction of real-time Indian Sign Language (ISL) interpretation for all parliamentary proceedings. The proposal seeks to ensure full democratic access for citizens who are deaf or hard of hearing.

In his letter, Shri Khandelwal noted that under the dynamic leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, India has witnessed a fundamental shift in governance—placing transparency, accessibility, and inclusion at the centre of policymaking. Initiatives such as Digital India, Accessible India, and the vision of Viksit Bharat reflect the Government’s sustained commitment to empowering every citizen. Making Parliament accessible to persons with hearing disabilities is an extension of this broader vision of participatory democracy.

According to Census 2011 data, approximately 2.21 percent of India’s population lives with a disability, of which 5.76 percent have hearing impairment. More recent estimates by the World Health Organization and the National Sample Survey suggest that nearly 63 million Indians experience significant hearing loss. For many among them, Indian Sign Language is the primary medium of communication.

Shri Khandelwal proposed that all proceedings of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha—including speeches, debates, special addresses by constitutional authorities, and official media briefings—be accompanied by simultaneous ISL interpretation. He stressed that this interpretation must be of high quality, clearly visible, and broadcast in real time across Sansad TV, the Parliament website, and official digital platforms.

He also acknowledged the Government’s efforts in this area, including the establishment of the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre in 2015. He noted that implementing ISL interpretation during parliamentary proceedings would reinforce the Government’s ongoing work to build a more accessible and inclusive India.

Shri Khandelwal underlined that the proposal is consistent with the constitutional promise of equality, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and India’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

He urged the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs to initiate consultations with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the secretariats of both Houses of Parliament. He further offered his assistance in connecting the Ministry with subject experts, accessibility professionals, and civil society organisations that have long advocated for this reform.