Fadnavis Calls For Responsible Comedy After FIR Against Stand-Up Artists
The chief minister condemned content that is misogynistic or abusive, stating that freedom of speech ends when it encroaches upon the freedom and dignity of others.
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday stated that stand-up comedy should not face restrictions, but firmly urged artists not to cross the ‘boundaries of decency’ or violate individual dignity.
“The Constitution of India grants everyone the freedom of expression. However, it also establishes safeguards to ensure this freedom is not misused. When expression becomes unrestrained, it infringes upon the right of individuals in society to live with dignity,” Mr. Fadnavis said.
The chief minister condemned content that is misogynistic or abusive, stating that freedom of speech ends when it encroaches upon the freedom and dignity of others. “I follow stand-up comedians; it’s entertaining. But everyone should know the limitations. I expect that no one should cross their limits,” he said.
Mr. Fadnavis’ statement follows a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Maharashtra Cyber police against stand-up comedian Pranit More, Himanshu Jangra and Dr. Sejal Pawar for allegedly making objectionable remarks and broadcasting obscene, derogatory and offensive online content during a comedy show in Gurugram.
The legal action was initiated after video clips from the performance went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage. The content reportedly included highly objectionable remarks trivializing consent in modern dating, alongside derogatory comments concerning deceased individuals.
Addressing the controversy, Mr. Fadnavis said that while freedom of expression is a fundamental constitutional right, it carries a parallel responsibility toward societal values and decency. He added that the government has no intention of censoring art or policing humor, but malicious or obscene content under the guise of comedy will not be tolerated.
The Maharashtra Cyber cell has invoked relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology (IT) Act to investigate the dissemination of the offensive material. Concurrently, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the viral clips and issued summonses to the individuals involved, citing the deeply misogynistic and offensive nature of the commentary.
Meanwhile, both Mr. Jangra and Mr. More have subsequently apologised, with More also deactivating his Instagram account. A Gurugram firm fired Mr. Jangra over the remarks.
