Standup comedian Yash Rathi has found himself in hot water after an FIR was filed against him for allegedly using offensive language during a performance at IIT Bhilai’s annual festival on November 15. The event, organized by the student council, was attended by students, faculty, and even parents.
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Clips from Rathi’s act, where he reportedly used objectionable words, went viral on social media. The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), and the Karni Sena filed complaints with both the IIT Bhilai management and the police, reported Moneycontrol.
According to reports, the institute management intervened during the performance and asked the comedian to leave the stage when the language crossed a line.
IIT Bhilai Director Rajiv Prakash expressed disappointment and said, “Standup 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. During the show, when Rathi allegedly started using objectionable words, the institute management intervened and asked him to get down from the stage.”
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The Superintendent of Police, Jitendra Shukla, confirmed that an FIR was lodged on Monday under Section 296 (obscene acts) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The police are currently investigating the matter. Meanwhile, the institute has decided to put a stop to standup comedy shows altogether.
A clip that has now gone viral shows a professor in the audience visibly uncomfortable, plugging his ears with his fingers during the performance. Have a look:
Vulgur Comedy Gone Wrong
A standup comedy organised at the Indian Institute of Technology – Bhilai turned embarrassing when comedian Yash Rathi started vulgar jokes which made a professor shut his ears. All were shocked and a member of the organizing committee intervened,… pic.twitter.com/Nmi7KfH9uN
— Anshul Garg (@AnshulGarg1986) November 19, 2024
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