SC directs YouTuber Raina to apologize for jokes on differently-abled persons

The Supreme Court has issued a stern warning to YouTuber Same Raina and several other YouTubers for making inappropriate comments against mentally and physically disabled persons. The court ordered them to issue public apologies, stating that commercial freedom of expression cannot come at the cost of hurting the sentiments of a community.

The bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi delivered the ruling, emphasizing that awareness programs should be conducted to sensitize people about the struggles faced by persons with disabilities. Along with Same Raina, the order also applies to Vipun Goyal, Balraj Paranjit Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar, and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar.

In the India’s Got Latent YouTube show, Raina made an offensive joke about individuals suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Condemning this act, the Cure SMA Foundation of India filed a petition in court.

Justice Surya Kant questioned, “Today they make jokes about the disabled, tomorrow it could be about someone else. Where will this lead society, and how will it end?”