PATNA: Bihar education minister Mithilesh Tiwari on Saturday has condemned jokes about Kashmiri Pandits and people of Bihar on comedian Samay Raina’s show, calling derogatory remarks against citizens “intolerable” and warning that such comments could create divisions in the country.Speaking to the media, minister Mithilesh Tiwari said, “Any derogatory remark against any citizen of our country is intolerable; those who make such comments are essentially talking about tearing the nation apart. We envision an undivided India; for us, the king and the commoner are equal, and there should be no discrimination in the country based on caste or creed. This is the clear stance of the BJP.”
Ram Kadam criticises remarks
BJP MLA Ram Kadam also criticised the remarks, accusing those who make controversial statements of seeking publicity.“There are certain forces in society that deliberately make controversial statements simply to gain publicity. Their sole objective is to become famous. We need to understand that the deities of Sanatan Hinduism and Kashmiri Pandits cannot be treated as subjects of ridicule,” Kadam said.“Someone cannot deliberately do something offensive and then simply apologise afterwards. In the meantime, they get the publicity they wanted across the country for free,” he added.
What was said on Samay Raina’s show?
The reactions came after the latest episode of India’s Got Latent Season 2 was released on Friday. Clips from the episode were widely shared on social media following an exchange between Raina and stand-up comedian Sharon Verma.While introducing Verma, Raina referred to her Bihar background and said, “She is from Bihar. She is so Bihari; she thinks ‘ebola’ means someone said something.”Verma responded by referring to Raina’s Kashmiri roots, saying, “Samay is so Kashmiri; he loves getting stoned.”Raina then said, “Sharon Verma is a Bihari who came to Mumbai in search of a job. Just Bihari things.”Verma replied, “At least, I left my state by my choice.”The exchange drew criticism over the references to Bihar and Kashmiri Pandits.
Archana Puran Singh’s exchange with Raina
The episode also featured actress and television personality Archana Puran Singh and social media personality Orhan Awatramani, popularly known as Orry.During the programme, Raina took a dig at Puran Singh while speaking to contestant AR Tiwari, who performed Bhojpuri shayari.When Raina asked Tiwari what he did apart from shayari, he said he also danced, vlogged and rapped.Raina then said, “Did you say vlog? Vlogging doesn’t need talent.”Puran Singh responded, “gaaliyan dena talent hai? (abusing is talent).”Her response was met with cheers from the audience.The episode has since generated discussion on social media, with clips from the show being widely circulated.