Yash Rathi now faces criminal probe over offensive material

An Indian comedian is being investigated by police for using bad language on stage – after being reported by the people who booked him. 

Yash Rathi faces a three-month jail sentence or a fine if he is found guilty of using obscene words or acts under India’s criminal code. 

The case illustrates the tight legal framework facing comedians in India’s burgeoning stand-up scene, which is oppressive boy Western standards.

Rathi was reported to police in the city of Bhilai, near Raipul, following a performance at the Indian Institute of Technology there.

He was booked to play their annual festival on Friday, performing to students, their parents and staff.

A short video clip posted online shows him talking about masturbation, and shocked audience members putting their fingers in their ears to block out his words.  

It also shows staff intervening to remove the comic from the stage half an hour into his hour-long set when it was clear he was causing offence. 

The local police superintendent told the Hindustani Times that it was the college’s management who reported the stand-up to them.

It is also reported that the student union as well as political and religious groups had also complained to the college’s management.

IIT-Bhilai director Rajiv Prakash told the Hindustani Times: ‘During the show when Rathi allegedly started using objectionable words, the institute management intervened and asked him to get down from the stage.

'Stand-up comedy acts were held during the institute’s annual fest in the past but such language was never used by performers. We were shocked when Rathi used such language.’

He added that comedians would not be booked for the festival again. 

On Instagram, Rathi posted a copy of the report into the incident, captioned in a mix of English and Hindi: ’Apparently adults in front of adults use language it’s not right to use’.

Published: 19 Nov 2024