Samay Raina, Sharon Verma’s Bihar-Kashmir jokes spark row, political leaders weigh in

MUMBAI: Comedians Samay Raina and Sharon Verma have landed at the centre of a controversy after their exchange of jokes about Bihar and Kashmir on the latest episode of India’s Got Latent Season 2 drew criticism on social media and reactions from politicians across party lines. Verma, who had appeared as a contestant in the show’s first season, returned as a panellist alongside Raina, Orry, Archana Puran Singh and Nishant Suri.

During their interaction, Raina joked about Verma’s Bihari background and stereotypes surrounding migration from the state for employment. Verma responded with jokes referring to Raina’s Kashmiri identity, including a remark about “getting stoned”.

The exchange became particularly contentious when Raina referred to Verma moving from Bihar to Mumbai in search of work. Verma responded that she had “at least left her state by choice”, a remark widely interpreted as referring to the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley.

While the two comedians appeared to treat the exchange as mutual roasting during the programme, clips circulating online prompted criticism over whether regional stereotypes and traumatic historical events should be used as material for humour.

‘Stick to comedy’

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey criticised the exchange and questioned why comedians needed to bring states, castes or religions into their routines.

Dubey accused Raina of repeatedly courting controversy and said neither Bihar nor Jammu and Kashmir should be reduced to stereotypes for entertainment.

Bihar Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari also criticised the remarks, saying derogatory comments directed at citizens on the basis of their background were unacceptable. He argued that discrimination based on caste or creed had no place in the country.

BJP MLA RS Pathania condemned the remarks as well, saying humour could not disregard social ethics and sensitivities.

Some leaders strike conciliatory note

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam, however, offered a more measured response. While saying he was uncomfortable with both the Bihar-related joke and the reference to Kashmiri Pandits, he argued that comedy should ultimately be viewed in its context.

He said the historical suffering of Kashmiri Pandits should not be mocked but added that he was willing to treat the exchange as humour rather than pursue the controversy further.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh similarly cautioned against making the episode into a larger issue. He said comedians generally intend to make audiences laugh and could sometimes make mistakes in the process. Dialogue, rather than targeting them, would be a better response, he suggested.

Congress leader Harish Rawat said humour loses its value when it is used to portray a caste, community or region in a derogatory manner.

‘Kashmir is not a punchline’

The controversy has also drawn a strong reaction from the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Forum, which said the displacement and suffering endured by Kashmiri Pandits should not be reduced to entertainment.

The organisation argued that comedy should enjoy freedom but must also be accompanied by responsibility and sensitivity.

It also cautioned against allowing the controversy to create hostility between communities, stressing that neither Bihar nor Kashmir should be defined by stereotypes or the statements of individuals.

PDP leader Syed Tajamul Islam also stressed the need to respect the experience of Kashmiri Pandits and said their departure from the Valley was not a matter of choice.

As criticism continued on Sunday, neither Raina nor Verma had publicly responded to the political reactions surrounding the episode.