If you have spent any sort of time on the Indian side of the internet you will have undoubtedly come across famous and now infamous social media personality Ranveer Allahbadia. He is more famously known by his social media handle, BeerBiceps. For those not in the loop, Beerbiceps appeared in a satirical rendition of the India’s Got Talent franchise that leaned more on the comedic side. Controversy struck when Allahbadia made a sexual joke towards one of the contestants. The remark led to multiple FIRs, legal action and public outrage. But is it warranted?
Comedy, at its heart, aims to do one thing: illicit laughter. It is an art form like any other whose primary medium is jokes. Similar to the lyrics in a song, the nature of jokes carries a comedy act. Comedy is also influenced by the environment and culture that surrounds it. However, the relationship that comedy has with its environment is a unique one.
Comedy has always been a rebellious art form. It is by no means the only one, several genres of film and movie fall into this category, but comedy might be the only art form whose existence spells disruptor. It is not a coincidence the funniest person in your class wasn’t well-liked by your teachers. There is something intrinsic between telling a joke to the masses and pushing against the grain. Admittedly, not all do this, and some do it more than others.
Perhaps the disruptive nature of comedy is rooted in the medium itself, jokes. Jokes are contradictory in nature in that they demand a level of interest and attention as well as dismissiveness, at the end of the day, “It’s just a joke.”
The Anatomy of a Joke
The question of a joke going too far is subjective in nature as similar to how our music tastes differ so do our senses of humour. What someone finds funny will eventually determine whether or not a line is crossed. This subjectivity makes the question a complicated one to answer. The question then breeds more questions. Can a joke go too far? Should comedy be taken seriously?
To answer any of these questions, we must first admit to ourselves what comedy is. Although the primary aim, as stated before, is to make people laugh, comedy has become a tool to explore taboos and other personal experiences. This is, in part, the reason why many female comedians heavily tell sex jokes, because it was in most cultures considered taboo for a woman to do so. Comedy, in essence, provides a light-hearted arena for which these otherwise taboo or sensitive topics can be explored.
However, not all jokes are created with the aim of pushing a conversation forward. Some, for better or worse, like the now infamous incestuous suggestion by BeerBiceps, are meant for only having a laugh. Some are far more damaging than this as they propagate stereotypes or further marginalize minorities or even, at worst, make light of deeply serious issues.
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What Happens When a Joke Goes Too Far?
It is impossible for a society to unanimously agree that a joke has gone too far, comedy is fostered in pockets of society. For a comedian or even an individual to make a joke about a matter, it is because that level of comedy has been socially acceptable. Part of the reason certain corners of the internet have jokes pertaining to romantic relationships with minors is we grew up in cultures that, truth be told, treated paedophilia as normal until very recently.
But if a majority of a community agrees that a certain joke has gone too far, then what should happen? Should the state get involved to uphold the sanctity of the morals of society, or is the court of public opinion enough? Should the public even have a right to condemn a joke that is not meant to carry harm or meaning beyond the punchline?
The reaction to India’s Got Latent episode has been an interesting one as it seems all the above mentioned actors have been involved. FIRs have been filed across a majority of states, and many other comics and content creators made Allahbadia the but of their own jokes whilst netizens and some journalists have continued to condemn him. But should they?
The lens through which comedy, or indeed any art form, is viewed cannot be the same as that through which we view everyday society. Art is and should be afforded liberties by the people and indeed, the state. This is not to say that they should be granted immunity from criticism or even condemnation but rather they exist in a different context.
This context is what we as a society need to use to judge the art and artist. By genuinely weighing the actual consequence and impact it has on us as a society if any at all.
“Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join once to make it stop forever?” is not something many people find funny, some find it appalling and disgusting, but does this joke or others like it by a popular personality push Indian morality over the edge?
The comments from politicians and others seem to think so. A parliamentary committee wrote to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting seeking laws to regulate digital content like podcasts & OTTs in the light of this incident. It is worth remembering that 27 members of parliament have been convicted of criminal offenses, including murder and rape. Now, which carries more weight: 27 convicted criminals in parliament or a nonsensical stolen joke by a YouTuber?
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. If you have any burning opinions or ideas to share, feel free to contact us at larra@globalindiannetwork.com.
