Crowd-work clips spark a huge backlash in Mumbai

The mayor of one of India's biggest cities has called for an all-out ban on stand-up after controversy surrounding one comic’s crowd work.

Mumbai is at the epicentre of the subcontinent's burgeoning comedy scene but Ritu Tawde, of the right-wing  Bharatiya Janata Party, has accused comedy of ‘spoiling today’s youth’ – and wants it stopped.

While insisting she supported free speech, she claimed it was being misused in a ‘completely unacceptable’ way by comedians.

‘I want to convey that these stand-up comedy shows should be stopped completely,’ she told local media. ‘I am going to write a letter to the chief minister regarding this issue.’

Her comments come amid a storm over two comments made by audience members during crowd work  by comedian Pranit More, pictured.

In one, Himanshu Jangra joked that after spending 370 rupees (just under £3) on a plate of chicken biryani on a date, the woman owed him sexual favours.

And at another, medical student Sejal Pawar, spoke about comparing the sizes of male cadavers' genitalia – which has condemned as being disrespectful to those who donated their bodies to science, and their families. 

King Edward Memorial Hospital, where she is studying, has launched an inquiry with dean Harish Pathak saying: ‘Such remarks are completely unacceptable and intolerable.’

The student later apologised, saying: ‘I completely understand why people were upset by what I said. The topic is a sensitive one, and my comments came across in a way they shouldn't have. While there was never any intention to disrespect anyone, I recognise that impact matters more than intent.’ 

Mayor Tawde said: ‘To speak about such bodies in this manner is wrong. It is insensitive and disrespectful…  Using such language and speaking about them at such a low level is something I completely reject.’

Her letter protesting about comedy would be sent to Devendra Fadnavis, chief minister of the Maharashtra state in which Mumbai lies, and which is home to about 130million  people. 

Fadnavis seemed to reject the idea of an outright, but said: ‘Freedom of expression must be exercised responsibly. The constitution of India grants everyone the freedom of expression. However, it also establishes safeguards to ensure this freedom is not misused. When expression becomes unrestrained, it infringes upon the right of individuals in society to live with dignity.’

Meanwhile Jangra’s boss fired him from his job as a web developer for the biriyani date joke, which attracted condemnation from India’s National Commission for Women, among others, who said: ‘Any attempt to portray sexual coercion, entitlement, or disrespect towards a woman's autonomy as humour or entertainment is unacceptable and contrary to the principles of equality, dignity, and safety guaranteed to women under the constitution and laws of India.’

Meanwhile Maharashtra Cyber Police have issued summons against Jangra, More and Parwar as they investigate the offence of dissemination of ‘allegedly obscene and objectionable content… which is against accepted societal norms ’ over the internet. 

Pawar has issued an apology, saying ‘I feel I deserve this hate’ directed at him.

He added: ‘I am cooperating with the authorities in any legal proceedings against me. I only request you all to give me one more chance. I will prove that I can become a better person.’

Published: 13 Jun 2026