Supreme Court directs Samay Raina, comedians to invite specially-abled persons with success stories on shows

Samay Raina

The Supreme Court has asked five comedians including YouTuber Samay Raina, to host events on their platforms featuring specially-abled individuals who have “success stories,” with the aim of raising funds for timely and effective treatment for persons with disabilities, reported ANI.

Pointing out that this was not a punishment, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant told them, “We hope and expect that such few memorable events will take place before we hear the matter next. It’s a social burden we are putting on you (comedians) not penal burden. You are all well-placed persons in the society. If you have become too popular, then share it with others.”

These directions were issued in proceedings arising from a petition filed by Cure SMA Foundation, which objected to jokes allegedly trivialising people living with disabilities, the news agency reported.

Raina, facing criticism earlier this year for remarks made in his YouTube show “India’s Got Latent,” publicly apologised on his birthday.

Posting on Instagram, he conveyed regret not only on his own behalf but also for Vipul Goyal, Sonali Thakkar, Nishant Tanwar and Balraj Ghai.

In his message, he said, “Today is my birthday. And instead of celebrating just myself, I want to use this day -- the most special day of the year for me -- to apologise to the people with disabilities. We, Samay Raina, Vipul Goyal, Sonali Thakkar, Nishant Tanwar, Balraj Ghai deeply regret the pain caused due to our show.”

He added that they intended to “spread awareness” about the challenges experienced by the disabled community.

Raina wrote the apology post saying, “Going forward, we will be more mindful and do our best to spread awareness about the challenges faced by the community. Your strength inspires us to grow. With respect and gratitude. Samay, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Ghai, Sonali Thakker, Nishant Tanwar.”

The controversy originated from allegations that the comedians had mocked individuals with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disorder, as well as others with disabilities.

On May 5, the bench had warned the performers to appear before it or face coercive action after the petition claimed that their show included ridicule directed at persons with SMA and other conditions.

This led the Court to require an unconditional apology from all five -- Raina, Goyal, Ghai, Tanwar and Thakkar -- on YouTube and their social media platforms. The complaint filed by M/s Cure SMA Foundation of India specifically cited remarks made by the group in the contested show, prompting the Court’s sharp response and the subsequent directives.

With ANI inputs