In the wake of alleged derogatory posts on social media making fun of people with disabilities, the Supreme Court has issued stern notices to Samay Raina and four others (including a comedian) over making a mockery of specially abled individuals. The court also required them to fundraise for disabled people, promote success stories, and consult on further regulations around derogatory jokes. Read about the complete verdict, notes from the courtroom, and reactions from people there.
Introduction
The Indian Supreme Court is furious with comedians making fun of differently-abled people. The court censured comedian Samay Raina and four others—Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar, Nishant Jagdish Tanwar, and Vipul Goyal—for making a mockery of specially abled persons such as those suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
Background of the Controversy
Samay Raina, on his since-deleted YouTube program “India’s Got Latent,” staged jokes riffing on:
- Patients battling SMA
- Treatment of infants with SMA
- Blind and cross-eyed individuals
These videos were widely condemned by disability rights activists and the public, leading to interest from the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court’s Strong Reaction
The matter was taken up by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, who expressed severe disapproval over the conduct of the comedians.
Court-Ordered Directives
The Supreme Court told the comedians to:
- Raise money for the medical care of the handicapped
- Feature the success stories of disabled people in their forthcoming programmes.
- Bring on people with disabilities, especially individuals who have SMA, to their platforms
The comedians’ attorney also agreed to follow the court’s recommendations.
Proposal for a New Law
Among the diplomatic highlights was the CJI’s proposal to have a new law akin to the SC/ST Act to ensure that humiliation or derision of disabled persons is an offence.
“Why not also have a provision on the lines of the SC/ST Act, which lays down severe punishment (for those accusing them) of discrimination?” the CJI asked.
The Solicitor General likewise concurred, stating that humour can never sacrifice the dignity of the human person.
Warning to Comedians
The court told all five comedians to be very careful in their behaviour off-camera:
“You and your colleagues should be very careful in the future, at home or abroad.”
Public Apology Issued by Comedians
The comedians issued a joint apology in October, before the most recent court hearing:
“We…are so sorry that this show added to the pain of those who have suffered. We will be more mindful moving forward and will endeavor to profile the community’s challenges.”
The apology was spread far and wide, but did not deter the Supreme Court from dictating remedial measures.
Impact on Social Media and Public Discourse
The incident has gone national, prompting:
- Ethics in comedy
- Freedom of expression vs. dignity
- Sensitivity toward the disabled community
- The need for sound legal structures
Several social media users backed the Supreme Court’s intervention, saying that public figures should be held to a higher standard.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did the Supreme Court act against Samay Raina and other comedians?
The court acted in response to offensive and abusive jokes on the program India’s Got Latent against people with disabilities, especially those suffering from SMA. These jokes were not only offensive but harmful.
Which comedians were part of the case?
The court named the comedians as:
Samay Raina
Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai
Sonali Thakkar
Nishant Jagdish Tanwar
Vipul Goyal
What did the comedians have to do, according to the court?
They were forced to collect money for the treatment of physically challenged people and do profiles on successful individuals who highlighted disabled persons. They were also prompted to bring SMA patients onto their platforms.
