Chandigarh, Sept. 30 – The Punjab government has become the first in India to formally introduce sign language support in both education and justice systems, a move officials say will bring dignity and inclusion to children with hearing and speech disabilities.
Under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership, the state in August 2025 appointed sign language interpreters, translators, and special educators under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. The decision, officials said, ensures that differently-abled children are no longer excluded from legal proceedings or classrooms.
“This is not just a policy—it is about giving voice to children who have long lived in silence,” Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said. “It makes them feel an integral part of society and allows them to fully understand and participate in processes that shape their lives.”
Punjab has also introduced sign language interpretation in its Legislative Assembly sessions, including the Governor’s address, the budget session, and key debates. Dr. Kaur noted this step aligns with Section 40 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which requires accessible communication systems to protect and promote human rights.
In addition to legislative and administrative measures, the state is backing technological innovation. A project called “Sign Lingua Franca” is being developed in Patiala to convert spoken words into sign language, potentially benefiting millions across India. Officials said this reflects the government’s aim of combining technology with empathy to reach the most vulnerable communities.
Advocates and families of disabled children welcomed the move, calling it a turning point. “When a child can communicate and be understood, it multiplies their confidence,” an education department official said. “This initiative restores dignity and shows that their voice matters, even if it is not spoken.”
The Mann government has framed the initiative as part of its broader vision of inclusive governance. Officials described it as both a humanitarian step and a model for other states. “Punjab has shown that true development happens when every segment of society can express itself in its own language,” Dr. Kaur said.
Observers noted that the initiative could inspire similar measures nationwide, establishing sign language not as a symbolic gesture but as a functional tool for justice, education, and democratic participation.
