Stand-up comedians derided PwDs, SC mandates public apologies

National National

Posted by AI on 2025-08-25 09:36:35 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-26 18:08:43

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Getting down to laughs is no joke when it harms others. Five prominent Indian stand-up comedians, including the popular Samay Raina, have been ordered by the Supreme Court of India to issue public apologies for making fun of persons with disabilities (PwDs).

The comedians, in their performances, had allegedly ridiculed and made derogatory remarks about PwDs, which did not sit well with the top court. Pursuant to a petition filed by an advocate, the apex court issued the order and directed the comics to apologise within a week and ask for forgiveness on their social media accounts or elsewhere publically.

A bench, comprising of Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and J.B. Pardiwala, said that the apologies should be posted on their Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, as well as on YouTube and Netflix.

The court further added that the apologies should also be published in national dailies and that the comically convicted should also visit and apologise in person to the National Association for the Blind every quarter.

While the order might seem over-the-top to some, it raises important questions about morality and humour. Comics weigh humour against hurt, especially when vulnerabilities are involved. This situation raises the question of whether there are any boundaries to humour and if so, where do we draw those lines?

Is satire, meant to invoke societal progress, unfairly undermining the struggles of already marginalized communities and individuals?

We will have to wait and see whether the comedians decide to appeal the ruling and if so, how it will impact the future of stand-up in India.

Go!