New Delhi: Comedian Samay Raina’s latest episode of India’s Got Latent Season 2 has triggered a social media debate after a segment featuring stand-up comedian Sharan Verma drew criticism over jokes involving Bihar and Kashmiri Pandits.
The episode, released on Friday, featured a light-hearted exchange between Raina and Verma, during which the two comedians took digs at each other’s regional backgrounds.
While introducing Verma, Raina made a joke about her being from Bihar, using the term “Bihari” as part of his comic routine. Verma responded by referring to Raina’s Kashmiri roots and made a remark involving the word “stoned”, in an apparent reference to intoxication.
The exchange continued with Raina joking that Verma had travelled from Bihar to Mumbai in search of employment, describing it as a stereotypical move. Verma hit back by saying that, unlike those who are forced to leave their homeland, she had chosen to leave her home state herself.
Clips from the conversation soon circulated widely online, prompting reactions from viewers and political figures.
BJP MLA Ram Kadam criticised the remarks and alleged that controversial statements of this nature are sometimes made to attract attention and generate publicity. He argued that religious sentiments and the identity of Kashmiri Pandits should not be used as material for jokes.
Kadam further said that deliberately making offensive comments and subsequently apologising does not undo the impact of such statements. According to him, the controversy itself can provide the publicity that the makers or performers may have sought.
The episode has since sparked discussion on social media over the limits of comedy, regional stereotypes and the use of sensitive cultural and religious references in entertainment.
