This is no joke!

2019 comedy clip by Agrima Joshua has been in the eye of the storm with Twitterati trending hashtags, points and counterpoints over the weekend. Much to netizens’ joy, hashtag #arrestshubhammishra had its effect on Monday as Vadodara police detained the perpetrator of the abusive video.

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A comic act by Mumbai-based Agrima on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s upcoming statue from last year got viral, winning the support and ire of netizens at the same time. While there were demands for her to be booked for hurting the sentiments of the followers of Shivaji, Agrima issued due apology. Things got sensitive with one Shubham Sharma going abusive and giving rape threat to Agrima over social media. Celebs, including Hina Khan, Richa Chadha, Pooja Bhatt and comedian Kunal Kamra tagged the authorities while demanding action. Later, they lauded the timely action by Vadodara police.

Big responsibility

“The responsibility falls on the shoulders of the artistes to ensure that they do not hurt the sentiments of anyone in our multicultural country,” says stand up comic Minto. When it comes to religion, one has to be sensitive, “Rather than apologising afterwards, I would do my homework and perform an act that tickles, not taunts.”

He believes there are two reasons why comedians land in trouble. “In the desire to go viral overnight, some lose their sense of right or wrong. Secondly, most acts are mere imitations of our Western counterparts. Now India is not America, here you cannot make jokes like they do on Donald Trump or religion. So, one has to be mindful of the social milieu one lives in.”

Learn from mistakes

Comic Alka Roy is rather relieved by the recent development. “While a joke is going to ruffle some feathers, one learns from one’s mistakes and moves on.” The takeaway from Agrima Joshua episode is that anyone going abusive over social media cannot go scot-free. “The video against Agrima Joshua was so abusive that I could not listen to it. The police action gives me hope that the guilty will be brought be book,” says this software engineer, who calls herself ‘comedian by birth and marathoner by choice’.

Azeem Banatwalla believes comedians are doing their jobs like everybody else and want to get on with their lives “Nobody wants to offend the entire community from one day’s work,” he says.

Serious situation

Vir Das, who was last seen in Hasmukh, has found a better solution to this never-ending circle of threat and apology with an advance apology. “India is a big country and we really don’t know what people will get offended by on a daily basis…should any of you ever need an apology from me, please refer to this video (sic),” he captioned his post. However, in a separate video posted on Monday, he points out, “One of us (comedians) will die… a comedian is going to be attacked and be mauled in our country… Help younger comedians and stand up for us.”

Mona/ Sheetal