Supreme Court Directs Samay Raina, Comedians to Apologise for Jokes on Disabilities

The Supreme Court on Monday directed stand-up comedian Samay Raina and four others to issue public apologies for insensitive jokes made about persons with disabilities. According to reports, the court emphasised that freedom of speech under Article 19 does not give individuals the right to mock vulnerable communities, particularly when such speech is commercialised for profit.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a petition filed by the Cure SMA Foundation of India, which alleged that certain comedians had made offensive remarks that demeaned persons with disabilities. The judges made it clear that while humour is essential in society, it crosses a line when it becomes a tool to “laugh at others” or erodes human dignity. They highlighted that Article 21, which protects dignity and life, holds greater weight in such matters.

The apex court further instructed the central government to draft comprehensive guidelines for comedians and social media influencers. Attorney General R. Venkataramani confirmed he would place a draft before the court but warned against creating an environment resembling censorship. The judges clarified that the guidelines should not be reactionary to a single case but forward-looking, covering broader concerns around online content, digital platforms, and monetised humour.

This case once again underscores the tension between freedom of expression and responsible speech in the digital era. For comedians, the ruling sends a strong message: while satire and humour are powerful tools, they cannot come at the cost of exploiting or demeaning marginalised communities. The court’s intervention signals a larger shift towards accountability in India’s digital entertainment space.