Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has called for a ban on stand-up comedy shows following a controversy involving comedian Pranit More, and stated she will write to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the matter. Her comments came a day after Maharashtra Cyber registered an FIR regarding allegedly obscene and objectionable content circulated online from a comedy show featuring Pranit More, according to news agency ANI.
Mayor's Objection to Comedy Content
Tawde said the remarks made in the viral clip were not in keeping with Indian culture. "A stand-up comedy show by Pranit More was organised here. Sejal Pawar, a student from our KEM Hospital, was present in the show... As the Mayor, I oppose this; it does not befit our Indian culture.... Stand-up comedy shows should be banned. I will write a letter to the chief minister," she said.
Chief Minister's Response
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that while stand-up comedy should remain unrestricted, freedom of expression must be exercised responsibly. "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," Fadnavis said.
FIR Registered by Maharashtra Cyber
Maharashtra Cyber has registered an FIR against stand-up comedian Pranit More, Himanshu Jangra, Sejal Pawar and other persons involved in connection with the publication and dissemination of allegedly obscene and objectionable content from a stand-up comedy show held in Gurugram through online platforms and social media. According to Maharashtra Cyber, videos and clips linked to the programme hosted by More were circulated on YouTube, Instagram and other social media platforms. The content allegedly contained offensive and objectionable remarks concerning women, consent and deceased persons, which authorities said were contrary to accepted societal norms and attracted provisions of criminal law.
Details of Alleged Offensive Content
Investigators said one of the clips allegedly featured Sejal Pawar making derogatory comments regarding deceased male bodies and medical cadavers used for educational purposes. The content was alleged to be disrespectful to the dignity of the deceased and inconsistent with accepted standards of public decency. Another clip allegedly contained remarks by Himanshu Jangra suggesting entitlement to physical intimacy in return for money spent during a date. Authorities alleged that the comments portrayed women in a derogatory manner and trivialised issues relating to consent and dignity.
Legal Action Taken
An FIR has been registered at the Nodal Cyber Police Station under sections 75(1)(iv), 75(3), 294, 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 read with section 67 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, against stand-up comedian Pranit More, Himanshu Jangra, Sejal Pawar, and others for alleged obscene, offensive, and objectionable remarks concerning women, consent, and deceased persons, according to Maharashtra Cyber.
Monetisation Motive Alleged
Maharashtra Cyber further alleged that the viral content was recorded, promoted, published and disseminated across various digital and social media platforms in connection with the programme, with the apparent objective of increasing viewership, audience engagement and generating financial gains through online monetisation and other revenue streams.
