Amid growing controversy over the viral ₹370 biryani video clip shared by stand-up comedian Pranit More, in which a Gurugram-based techie shared an anecdote on his dating experience, Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis has weighed in to address the issue. On Friday, he asserted that freedom of expression should not come at the expense of human dignity or accepted social norms. 

Notably, the controversy devolved into a row following widespread outrage online and led to legal action. The Maharashtra cyber-crime wing registered a First Information Report (FIR) against both More and the man who detailed his dating experience. CM Fadnavis further said that while the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, it also provides safeguards to ensure that the right is not misused. 

“Freedom of expression comes with responsibility”: CM Fadnavis

Continuing his statements, CM Fadnavis underlined that unrestricted expression cannot override a person’s right to live with dignity. He remarked, “The Constitution of India has granted freedom of expression to everyone. However, the Constitution itself has also established safeguards to ensure that this freedom is not misused. When expression becomes limitless, it begins to encroach upon citizens’ right to live with dignity, and such infringement is not permitted.” 

He further said that entertainment, including stand-up comedy, should remain mindful of societal boundaries and basic standards of decency. 

How did the controversy unfold?

The row erupted after Himanshu Jangra, a Gurugram-based technology professional, who was in attendance at More’s stand-up comedy show, shared a real-life anecdote. In the now-viral clip, Jangra claimed he had spent ₹370 on a plate of chicken biryani during a date with a woman and later sought sexual favours when the woman requested that he drop her home. 

No sooner did the clip go viral online than the netizens fumed, subjecting both More, Jangra and the people laughing at the remarks to criticism. Many users accused Jangra of promoting coercive attitudes and implying entitlement to intimacy in lieu of money spent on a date. 

“I too am a stand-up comedy viewer”: CM Fadnavis

CM Fadnavis described himself as a viewer of stand-up comedy and said the genre plays an important role in entertainment, but must not cross ethical boundaries. He said, “Everyone enjoys stand-up comedy, and I watch it myself. However, it is not appropriate to violate societal limits or the boundaries of dignity in the name of entertainment. At the very least, stand-up comedy should adhere to basic standards of decency.” 

Legal action and intervention by NCW

As public criticism intensified, Maharashtra cyber cops registered a case against More, Jangra and others for allegedly circulating obscene and objectionable content online. Jangra had to face professional consequences too, as he was reportedly terminated by his employer following the backlash. 

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has summoned both More and Jangra, as well as sought details from state authorities regarding measures to prevent entertainment platforms and digital spaces from becoming channels that normalise sexual harassment, coercion or behaviour which undermines the dignity for women.