Comedian Samay Raina is facing increasing legal and public scrutiny following controversial jokes that allegedly mocked individuals with disabilities and an infant suffering from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The Supreme Court has expressed deep concern over the comedian’s remarks, calling them “really disturbing.”
Raina, who is already entangled in legal trouble due to a joke made by fellow comic Ranveer Allahbadia about parents and sex during his ‘India’s Got Latent’ stand-up show, has now been added to the hearing of the ongoing case.
Justice Surya Kant, addressing the matter, said, “We are really disturbed by the allegations. We place such instances on record... implead the concerned persons... suggest measures. Then we will see.”
This directive came after an intervention by the Cure SMA Foundation of India, which raised alarm over the comedian’s comments and urged the court to address the high costs of SMA treatment.
The foundation pointed out the exorbitant cost of treatments like Zolgensma, a one-time gene therapy priced at Rs 16 crore, which is out of reach for most of India’s population. Crowdsourcing and public fundraising have, therefore, become the only means for many families to afford such treatments.
The foundation’s petition calls for the court to direct the government to regulate derogatory and ableist content, particularly in the realm of online and media platforms.
The petition emphasises the need for sensitivity towards people suffering from SMA, lamenting that the task becomes significantly harder when public figures like Samay Raina use their platform to make insensitive jokes about such serious issues.
Also Read: 'India's Got Latent' : Allahbadia, Apoorva apologise to NCW
Samay Raina's controversial remarks
In his comedy show, Raina made a joke about a two-month-old baby who required a Rs 16 crore injection for treatment. He reportedly remarked, “Something crazy has happened, a two-month-old baby requires a Rs 16 crore injection.”
He then turned to an audience member and, addressing a woman, asked, “Ma’am, you tell me... if you were that mother and one day Rs 16 crore appeared in your bank account... while you had a two-month-old... wouldn't you at least look at your husband once and say, 'Hmmm... inflation is rising'?”
The comedian is also facing backlash for a joke about a blind person. Raina allegedly asked, “Can I ask you a question, my brother... which of your eyes should I look into?” before making another remark, “You look at God's eyes...” These comments have been criticized for their lack of sensitivity and perceived ableism.
The Cure SMA Foundation criticised these remarks as part of a broader trend in which individuals with disabilities and their struggles are treated as objects of ridicule or public entertainment. The foundation emphasised that freedom of speech should not be a justification for making light of serious issues or dismissing such remarks as mere “satire.”
Also Read: Ranveer Allahbadia admits of committing 'mistake': Officials
Legal and social implications
The foundation’s principal demand is for the Supreme Court to mandate that the government develop regulatory measures to prevent the dissemination of derogatory content about people with disabilities, particularly those facing rare and expensive medical conditions.
They argue that such comments not only perpetuate harmful stereotypes but also exacerbate the challenges faced by individuals and families struggling with serious health conditions.
As the case progresses, the scrutiny around Samay Raina’s jokes and their impact on public perception of disability and health care access continues to grow. The outcome of this case could set important precedents regarding the responsibility of public figures, influencers, and content creators to uphold ethical standards in their public commentary.
Also Read: Samay Raina grilled in Guwahati over India's Got Latent row
Follow us
