SC tells Samay Raina, other comedians to host shows to raise funds for persons with disabilities
The comedians must host such programmes at least twice a month to raise awareness and support for those suffering from rare diseases, the bench said.
The Supreme Court on Thursday directed comedians Samay Raina, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar and Nishant Jagadish Tanwar to telecast programmes in their shows highlighting success stories of persons with disabilities, Live Law reported.
The comedians were directed to do so as reparation for allegedly insensitive jokes they made on their shows about persons with disabilities.
The court said the shows should also aim to raise funds for the treatment of disabled persons, especially those with Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
The directions were issued in a petition filed by Cure SMA Foundation seeking guidelines against jokes that violate the dignity of persons with disabilities.
The petition was prompted by a joke made by Raina about a child with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. The comedians had earlier appeared before the Court and were directed to publish public apologies on their platforms.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said that the comedians must host such programmes at least twice a month and may invite persons with disabilities to their platforms to raise awareness and support for those suffering from rare diseases such as Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Live Law reported.
The comedians’ counsel requested that the frequency be reduced, arguing that they do not host shows regularly and that events are usually organised by sponsors.
The bench declined to modify the order. “This is a social burden we are putting on you,” the judges said, suggesting the comedians could use their YouTube channels if needed, Live Law reported. The counsel then agreed.
