'Disturbing': SC Slams Samay Raina, Others Over Jokes On People With Disabilities
Taking strong objection to the remarks, the apex court recorded the personal appearance of the comics and directed them to file formal replies within two weeks.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday termed jokes made by stand-up comedian Samay Raina and others about persons with disabilities and rare diseases as 'disturbing", stating it would 'scrutinise individual conduct minutely."
The remarks came while the SC heard a petition filed by the CURE SMA Foundation of India, which raised concerns over allegedly insensitive and offensive content shared by Raina and other comedians. The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, ordered the comedians to respond to the plea and appear again in court at the next hearing, which is scheduled in three weeks.
Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, representing the foundation, argued that the comedians' comments over people with disabilities amounted to 'hate speech", which does not deserve any protection under the right to free speech guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
Taking strong objection to the remarks, the apex court recorded the personal appearance of the comics and directed them to file formal replies within two weeks.
The bench also reminded the Centre that existing guidelines on regulating online content, especially on social media and OTT platforms, must align with constitutional values. The bench stressed that the right to freedom and duties of citizens must be balanced.
Earlier, while hearing a separate case involving YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia over his crass remarks on 'India's Got Latent' show, the top court had asked the government to consider formulating clearer guidelines to control vulgar and derogatory content online. Justice Kant reiterated the need for public debate on where free expression ends and civic responsibility begins.
'…you have to have guidelines which are in conformity with constitutional principles, comprising both parts – freedom, where the limit of that freedom ends, and where duties start…we would like to invite open debate on that," Justice Kant said.
On May 5, the top court had summoned five influencers and comedians, including Raina, over offensive content targeting persons with disabilities. It reiterated that any speech that demeans a community or group would be subject to legal restriction.
view comments
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
a minute ago
- Indian Express
‘Bawankule real mastermind of attack on me': Pravin Gaikwad targets BJP again
Speaking at a press conference where he once again targeted the BJP and its minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, social wing chief of Sambhaji Brigade Pravin Gaikwad on Wednesday said his dream was to save democracy, save the Constitution and that he was ready to die for it. He held the BJP and Bawankule responsible for the 'murderous attack' on him in Akkalkot on Sunday. Gaikwad said he is a follower of Gautam Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi. 'I believe in the philosophy Ahimsa… I follow the the teachings of Buddha in letter and spirit which has brought peace in my life. I follow the ideology of and Gandhi have taught us to remain calm even in adversity,Z' he said. At the press conference held at Patrakar Bhavan, Gaikwad expanded on what he has been alleging since the 'black oil' attack on him by Deepak Kate, a BJP worker and his associates in Akkalkot. 'The attack on me was a murderous one. They wanted to kill me and crush my ideology… An agency appointed by the BJP video-recorded the attack on me and made it go viral, which reveals it was all well-planned,' he said. Gaikwad once again reiterated that the attack on him was sponsored by the state government. 'The BJP-led government has planned to finish off activists who do not follow its ideology, it wants to finish off organisations like BAMCEF, Sambhaji Brigade, Maratha Seva Sangh and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi who they consider as hurdles for remaining in power… They call themselves party with a difference. The same party has planned to do away with social activists who do not follow their ideology and do not want any posts. Even Mahatma Phule, Mahatma Gandhi, Shahu Maharaj and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar were attacked by such ideologies,' he said. Gaikwad said from 2014 to 2019, the likes of Dabholkar, Pansare, Lankesh and Kalburgi have been murdered. 'Those who killed Dabholkar were also criminals. Similarly, the activists were also killed by people who had criminal background,' he said. Gaikwad alleged that Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who belongs to BJP was the real mastermind of the attack on him. At the press conference, he played two videos to prove the close relations with Bawankule and Kate. Gaikwad said,'In one of the videos, it emerges that Bawankule is the godfather of Kate. He is backing and supporting criminals. Bawankule says he is proud of Deepak Kate. In another video, Bawankule is heard clearly saying that the previous government had filed cases against Kate, but he and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis fully supports him (Kate).' Gaikwad said videos are not the only proof of the BJP being behind the attack. 'There is no doubt that Bawankule and the accused are closely related. Bawankule openly said Kate is a BJP worker. It was Bawankule who was behind Kate getting bail for illegally possessing arms. He was arrested at Lohegaon airport with two pistols and 28 cartridges. The BJP managed to secure bail for Kate so that he could carry out their plans. Under Section 3 of The Arms Act, it is difficult to get bail in such cases. The prosecution in this argued that there was no criminal record though he had undergone jail term in a heinous crimes and several other crimes in his name registered with the police.' Gaikwad said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis holds the charge of Home Ministry as well. He said, 'Now that it is proved who is the mastermind of the attack on me… Will the Chief Minister take action again Bawankule?' Both BJP and Bawankule had earlier refused the allegations that they have any connection with the attack on Gaikwad. Gaikwad said BJP considers his ideology an impediment for coming to power. 'I have a progressive mindset but BJP's is not… I believe in equality… BJP is against equality. BJP wants one party rule, BJP wants dictatorship to thrive, it wants its anti-progressive mindset to hold upper hand. We believe in Constitution, we believe in democracy,' he said. Gaikwad said he suspects the entire event was managed by the BJP. 'I have a strongly feeling that the organisers of the event are hand in glove with the BJP. They invited me under the guise of a felicitation function. But when the attack on me happened, no one came forward, the organisers did not even file a police complaint. Several BJP leaders were present at the occasion. In the police station, my associates told me that some ministers called up and told the police not to charge Kate and his associates under stringent law,' he said. Gaikwad said the Maratha community leaders have planned a bandh in Akkalkot on July 18. 'The Maratha community will protest the attack on me by observing a bandh on July 18,' he said.
The Hindu
a minute ago
- The Hindu
Watch: Congress on J&K statehood, SC on Udaipur files, Mark Rutte on India & more
Restore Jammu & Kashmir's Statehood: Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge to PM Modi Ahead of the Monsoon session of Parliament, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi jointly wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (July 16, 2025), urging the government to bring a legislation to grant full Statehood to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. They also requested that the government include Ladakh in the sixth schedule of the constitution. Cabinet clears PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana with annual outlay of ₹24,000 crore The Cabinet on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) approved Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana for a period of six years, covering 100 districts with an annual outlay of ₹24,000 crore. The programme, announced in the Union Budget, will converge 36 existing schemes and increase adoption of crop diversification and sustainable agricultural practices. I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana will augment post-harvest storage, improve irrigation facilities, and enhance farm productivity. This programme is likely to help 1.7 crore farmers. Supreme Court defers 'Udaipur Files' case hearing till July 21, awaits outcome of Centre's decision The Supreme Court on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) recorded its expectation that a panel formed by the Centre will review the certification of the movie 'Udaipur Files - Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder', under the Cinematograph Act 'immediately without the loss of any time'. A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi did not interfere, for the time being, with a July 10 decision of the Delhi High Court to freeze the release of the movie, which has been criticised for vilifying the Muslim community. NATO chief says India, Brazil and China could be slammed with sanctions NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) that countries such as Brazil, China and India could be hit very hard by secondary sanctions if they continued to do business with Russia. Mr. Rutte made the comment while meeting with senators in the U.S. Congress the day after President Donald Trump announced new weapons for Ukraine and threatened 'biting' secondary tariffs of 100% on the buyers of Russian exports unless there is a peace deal in 50 days. Clashes resume in Syria's Druze city of Sweida, Israel vows more strikes Clashes between Syrian government troops and local Druze fighters resumed in the southern Druze city of Sweida early on Wednesday (July 16, 2025), collapsing a ceasefire announced just hours earlier that aimed to put an end to days of deadly sectarian bloodshed. The outbreak of violence in the predominantly Druze province in southern Syria has highlighted frictions among Syria's diverse communities, with minorities feeling deep distrust towards the Islamist-led government now in power.
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
JSK movie case: HC closes petition by producers
Kochi: A high court bench of Justice N Nagaresh on Wednesday closed a petition filed by Cosmos Entertainments, the producer company of the Suresh Gopi-starrer Malayalam movie Janaki V vs State of Kerala, seeking the timely issuance of a censor certificate. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now HC closed the proceedings after being informed that the (CBFC) issued the certificate on July 11. Initially, CBFC had declined certification for the film, objecting to the use of the name Janaki, another name for Goddess Sita. The board cited Guideline 2(12) of the certification rules, which prohibits visuals or words contemptuous of religious, racial, or other groups. The CBFC also suggested 96 cuts in the film, prompting the producers to move HC. Subsequently, the board proposed modifications, including adding the initial 'V' to the character's name in the title and muting the word Janaki in two specific scenes. The producers accepted these suggestions and resubmitted the film, which was then cleared by CBFC. While closing the petition, HC permitted the producers to use promotional materials, including teasers and advertisements, bearing the old title Janaki vs State of Kerala. The court clarified that in view of the peculiar circumstances under which the film was granted certification, the continued use of such promotional materials will not expose the petitioner to any legal claims or liabilities. The court also clarified that this direction is intended to preclude unnecessary litigation from the public, such as claims before consumer forums alleging that the film advertised as Janaki vs State of Kerala was ultimately released as Janaki V vs State of Kerala.
