Death threats subside after Jay Hind! team apologises
Sikh community hurt with the joke made by the comedians
Published: Monday,Aug 20, 2012 17:33 PM GMT-06:00
The team of Jay Hind!, online stand-up comedy show under the banner of Undercover Productions had been getting death threats. The trigger? The online segment featured a parody of Fauja Singh (British centenarian marathon runner of Punjabi Sikh origin). This didn't go down with a certain section of viewers who felt it was hurting the religious sentiments of the Sikhs.
Producer of the show Abhigyan Jha, and stand up comedians Sumeet Raghavan and Rajeev Nigam had to upload an apology video explaining the joke. According to them the joke wasn't poking fun at the Sikh community at all.
Abhigyan says, "We don't believe that the Fauja Singh video wasn't in good taste. Taste is after all a matter of choice. We apologised that we ended up offending people."
Sumeet Raghavan shrugs off the matter saying, "I didn't give it much importance. There are more horrible things happening in this world."
The death threats have subsided ever since the apology was rendered. Abhigyan says that he will however never simmer down the content of Jay Hind! as he is a strong believer of the freedom of speech.
Comedian Rajeev Nigam had earlier pointed out that Abhigyan was the bravest person ever that he had worked with. "He is afraid of nobody. I am proud to be a part of a bold show like Jay Hind!"
We quizzed Abhigyan as to why he thought that his weekend The Late Night Show on Colors (also hosted by Sumeet Raghavan) hadn't garnered good TRP. He retorted, "The TRPs of Movers and Shakers and The Late Night Show were at par. What do you expect when a show has a low budget and zero promotion? Also condensing the whole week's news into two weekend episodes isn't a format which really works. People prefer a daily format."
Jay Hind! will be completing 300 episodes in September. "The details of the second season of the Late Night Show will be decided in October," says Abhigyan.
Author and reporter: Pallavi Bhattacharya
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Comments (17)
I have not heard this particular joke in question, but this is my general opinion of comedy in India. We take offense very easily. As identity is linked to community, caste, religion, language, region and of course the nation - there are too many jokes we could potentially find offensive. Add to that a political hankering to make any kind of protest part of their agenda, India is a rather hostile place for comedians. Compare this to the freedom that US and British comedians enjoy - Jay Leno and other late night comedy hosts can make fun of politicians, the royal family and deceased icons of their country alike - and one realizes the Indian public still has some way to go before we grow a funny bone.
11 years ago
U are just getting the threats, but the Sikhs in 1984 were actually killed mercilessly and that was nt a joke. earlier i used to think that u were a sensible comedian, but u are not. don't be proud to be a good comedian coz u failed to be that. do u think u have done gr8 job by doing this all? if u want to see gr8 doers, look at Fauja Singh, who did all silently. British Govt honored him bt thanx to u ppl, Indians are again categorised in foolish ppl for disrespecting the gems of their own country.
11 years ago
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11 years ago
Is it freedom of speech to hurt people and destroy the peace between communities, religion, and countries... India is world's largest democracy so u people have big responsibility... World is running fast and we people are still crying for old issues... For God Sake! Make peace don't destroy it!!!!
11 years ago
Abhigyan Jha, Being a strong believer of the freedom of speech is fine, but it also comes with strong responsibility as well! Spouting insults and hurting someones sentiments is not part of 'freedom of speech'! I AM NOT OF SIKH COMMUNITY BUT I DON'T FIND POKING FUN AT 'ANY' COMMUNITY/RELIGION FUNNY... THERE ARE 1000'S OF TOPICS ON WHICH JOKES CAN BE MADE WITHOUT HURTING ANYONE..PERIOD!!!!!
11 years ago
If the joke did poke fun at the genocide people should realize that comedy is not only comedy. It socializes and can push certain issues under the rug as meaningless. It has the ability to reinforce stereotypes and throw sensitive issues as laughable. Just some food for thought.
11 years ago
i never like to see this show because i saw several time in this show they try to criticize neighobur countries and make a jokes on other religion. its not good for peace, it can threat others. we should move on why always try to cry and create problem for others and future generation
11 years ago
its unfortunate that they are getting death threats and i hope for there safety it stops and yes there are worse things in this world. however i will not take this with a "pinch of salt" when you joke that a sikh has been running since 1984, that is not funny what so funny about a mass genocide of thousands of sikhs in 1984 that had sikh men being burnt in the streets and sikh women removing there sons turbans so that they would "blend in" they also showed him being run over with a truck, imagine how his family feels so my apoligies for not seeing the joke in that. i appreciate that they apoligized and i hope they are safe from these stupid insults. But as a sikh i was offended. im glad they are running there show again and i wish them the best of luck and hopefully ppl will move on
11 years ago
I agree with Sumeet that there are more horrible things happening in this world!!!! People should learn to take things with a pinch of salt!!!!! They are making hue and cry about a joke!!!!! How about protesting against the rising amount of crimes against women??
11 years ago
i hav never liked sumeet he is just too cocky
11 years ago