US EditionSupreme Court Instructs Samay Raina, 4 Others to Issue ‘Unconditional Apology’ for Insensitive Remarks on Disability
The Supreme Court mandated public apologies from five comedians and directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to create social media language guidelines protecting persons with disabilities.
- On Monday, August 25, 2025, the Supreme Court directed comedians Samay Raina, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Ghai, Sonali Thakkar, and Nishant Tanwar to issue unconditional apologies for jokes mocking disabled persons on India's Got Latent.
- The court’s action followed a petition by the Cure SMA Foundation alleging the comedians’ content irresponsibly insulted disabled individuals, violating their constitutional rights under Articles 14 and 21.
- A Supreme Court bench presiding over the case highlighted that humor should not undermine an individual's dignity and advised the government to develop comprehensive social media regulations through a consultative process involving various stakeholders.
- Attorney General Venkataramani stated “there cannot be a complete gag” and confirmed the Union government would present draft social media regulations balancing freedom and duty.
- The court warned of potential penalties for offending disabled persons and called for regulation of online content to prevent insensitivity and safeguard affected communities’ rights.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Freedom of speech vs commercial speech: Decoding Supreme Court’s order on Samay Raina, 4 other comics
The Supreme Court on Monday ordered India’s Got Latent host Samay Raina and four other comedians to issue a public apology on their social media channels for cracking insensitive jokes on people with disabilities and rare genetic disorders. The court said their content was ‘not only freedom of speech, it’s commercial speech’. It also directed the Centre to submit proposed draft guidelines to regulate content on social media
Aaj Ki Baat: Full episode, August 25, 2025
Hello and welcome to 'Aaj Ki Baat' with Rajat Sharma, the only news show with real facts and no noise. In today's episode: Chilling videos emerge of how Nikki Bhati was dragged by hair and seen limping down stairs after being set ablaze, Nikki’s father demands death for her husband and in-laws Supreme Court directs five comedians including Samay Raina, Vipul Goyal, Sonali Thakker to tender unconditional public apology for mocking persons wit…
SC directs apology from Samay Raina, others for jokes on disabled
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday, August 25, directed comedian Samay Raina, creator of “India’s Got Latent”, and four others to issue public apologies on social media for making insensitive jokes about an infant suffering from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi indicated that on the next hearing, it would decide the penalty to be imposed on comedians Raina, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh …
Samay Raina's cheeky response to reporter outside Supreme Court post hearing. Watch
The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on Raina for allegedly making insensitive remarks about people with disability and directed him to issue an unconditional apology on their YouTube channels and other platforms.
Samay Raina, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Nishant Jagdish Tanwar and Sonali Thakkar Asked by Supreme Court To Apologise for Insensitive Jokes on Disabilities on Their YouTube Channels
On May 5, the bench had summoned the comedian Samay Raina and 4 others to appear before it or face coercive action after a plea alleged that they ridiculed persons suffering from SMA, a rare disorder, as well as those suffering from other disabilities on their show. Samay Raina, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Nishant Jagdish Tanwar and Sonali Thakkar Asked by Supreme Court To Apologise for Insensitive Jokes on Disabilities on Their Yo…
SC raps comedian Samay Raina, orders apology for remarks on people with disabilities
Raina, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Nishant Jagdish Tanwar, & Sonali Thakkar were summoned after a plea alleged they ridiculed persons suffering disabilities on their show.
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