The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre and states to respond to interim suggestions made by Amicus Curiae Gopal Sankaranarayanan in a petition seeking to recognise physical literacy as a fundamental right by amending Article 21 of the Constitution.
The bench of Justices L. Nageswara Rao and B.R. Gavai listed the matter for further hearing after two weeks.
Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan submitted that physical literacy is not just about sports, but it’s about knowing your body and staying fit throughout one’s life.
Justice Rao: “VVS Laxman, both his parents were Doctors, they wanted him to be a Doctor.” Justice Rao also complimented Sankaranarayanan stating “Thank you, Mr. Sankaranarayanan, you have done a good job.”
On the previous date, Sankaranarayanan had filed a three-volume report seeking changes in Constitution, central and state policies, and school administration and management. The report had been filed in 2018 PIL filed by Kanishka Pandey.
He had stated, “One common outcome of all these exchanges is that rather than using the phrase “sport” which is narrow, it would be better to adopt the phrase “physical literacy”, one that is firmly established as a right in the leading sporting nations of the world.”
The report titled- From Stasis to Movement – Actualising a Fundamental Right to Physical Literacy in India has advocated for minimum 90 minutes of physical education & games daily.
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“All state governments should ensure that from academic year commencing 2022- 2023, all non-residential colleges and schools shall compulsorily allow access during non-working hours to neighbourhood children to use their playgrounds and sports facilities for free, subject to basic norms of identification, security and care”
-the report said.
Case Name- Kanishka Pandey Vs UOI