The Maharashtra Cyber Police on Thursday registered a case against comedian Praneet More following the controversial controversy. $370 comments were made during his presentation.
Moore’s show has come under intense backlash over the past few days after a short clip of his show went viral on social media in which a man was heard saying how he paid $370 per biryani at a given date and hence deserves a ‘return’ on his investment. The man has been identified as 23-year-old Himanshu Jangra who announces private details about his date, while Moore and the crowd continue to laugh at the statements without being interrupted.
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After the backlash, Moore apologized and said “the comments made by the public do not reflect my views.” Many social media influencers criticized him for failing to stop Jangra when he made the vile remarks and demanded accountability.
Many women on social media were outraged that Moore was allowed to make such insensitive comments on the show and demanded strict action against him.
Jangra, a web developer, also lost his job after the row as the Gurugram company he worked for fired him for “ $370 biryani,” news agency PTI reported.
NCW calls for more, Jangra
The National Commission for Women on Thursday summoned Moore and Jangra over the controversial statements, which the commission said glorified sexual coercion and non-consensual behavior towards women, PTI reported.
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After taking spontaneous cognizance of media reports and viral video of the incident, the committee said its chairman Vijaya Rahatkar wrote to the Haryana Director General of Police, seeking immediate and time-bound action and seeking a report on action taken within seven days.
“The National Commission for Women took suo motu note of the widely reported media coverage and widely circulated video footage regarding an incident during a comedy show held in Gurugram, Haryana, where statements glorifying sexual coercion and non-consensual behavior towards a woman were publicly made and subsequently applauded,” the commission said in a statement.
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The committee expressed concern about the content of the video, saying that “the normalization or glorification of behavior that undermines women’s consent, dignity and bodily autonomy has far-reaching consequences for women’s safety and social attitudes towards gender-based violence.”
The commission said it has sought details regarding the status of the FIR under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act and other applicable laws, action taken against those involved, examination and authentication of widespread video evidence, role of organisers, performers and venue management in the incident.
The committee also requested information on measures proposed by the state police to ensure that public entertainment platforms and digital spaces do not become tools to “promote, encourage or normalize sexual harassment, coercion or behavior that violates the dignity of women.”
The National Council for Women said a hearing on the matter is scheduled for June 22 at 4 p.m.
The National Council for Women said it will continue to monitor the matter closely and expects prompt and appropriate action to be taken by the relevant authorities.
