Comedian Samay Raina has drawn criticism after a segment from the latest episode of India’s Got Latent Season 2, released on August 28, 2026, featuring a roast exchange with comedian Sharon Verma, went viral on social media.
The exchange involved jokes about Verma’s Bihari identity, migration to Mumbai and Raina’s Kashmiri roots, with Verma’s response “At least I left my state by my choice” being interpreted by critics as a reference to the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits during the insurgency of the early 1990s.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey criticised Raina, saying comedians should “stick to comedy” rather than bringing caste, states or religions into their material. BJP MLA Ram Kadam also accused the comedians of hurting sentiments for publicity, while Bihar Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari called derogatory remarks against citizens “intolerable”.
In contrast, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam said the remarks were inappropriate but urged people to view the exchange in the context of a comedy show and said he forgave both comedians. J&K BJP leader Rakesh Kaul also urged people not to overanalyse the exchange, while PDP leader Syed Tajamul Islam said Kashmiri Pandits did not leave their homes simply “by choice”.
The Roast That Sparked Outrage
The controversy centres on a rapid-fire exchange between Raina and Verma during the new episode, which also featured Orry, Archana Puran Singh and Nishant Suri. Raina began by joking about Verma’s Bihari background, saying she was “so Bihari” that she thought “Ebola” meant someone had said something.
Verma responded by joking about Raina’s Kashmiri identity, saying he “loves getting stoned”, a remark widely interpreted as a reference to stone-pelting during periods of unrest in Kashmir. Raina then joked that Verma was a Bihari who had come to Mumbai in search of a job, prompting her response: “At least I left my state by my choice.”
While the exchange drew laughter and appeared to be treated as mutual banter inside the studio, clips later circulated widely online, where some viewers interpreted Verma’s final remark as referring to the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley. The interpretation has been particularly sensitive because Raina has spoken publicly about his own family’s displacement from Kashmir.
The Jammu and Kashmir Peace Forum criticised the exchange, saying that while comedy should have space, historical suffering and the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits should not be reduced to entertainment.
Political Reactions Grow
The backlash has since moved beyond social media, with leaders from Maharashtra, Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir weighing in. Anand Dubey of Shiv Sena (UBT) said the exchange reflected a lack of understanding of both Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir and questioned why comedians needed to bring sensitive identities into their jokes. “Just stick to comedy. Why drag specific castes, states, or religions into it?” he said, while accusing the comedians of going to extreme lengths for money and attention.
BJP MLA Ram Kadam similarly criticised the remarks, saying some people make controversial statements to gain publicity and arguing that Kashmiri Pandits should not be treated as subjects of ridicule. Bihar Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari also condemned the exchange, saying, “Any derogatory remark against any citizen of our country is intolerable,” and arguing that such comments risk creating divisions.
However, the political response has not been unanimous. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam said the Bihar comment was inappropriate and that Verma’s Kashmir reference “did not feel good”, particularly given the suffering of Kashmiri Pandits, but added that he forgave both comedians and that humour should be understood as humour.
In Jammu and Kashmir, BJP leader Rakesh Kaul took a more measured position, saying comedians’ words can be interpreted differently depending on context and that people should not overanalyse a comedy performance. PDP leader Syed Tajamul Islam, meanwhile, stressed that Kashmiri Pandits did not leave their homes simply “by choice” and said the Valley remains incomplete without them.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Comedy can challenge stereotypes, question social norms and even make people uncomfortable. But there is a difference between using humour to confront prejudice and turning real experiences of displacement, migration or suffering into easy punchlines. The Bihar-Kashmir exchange involved two comedians trading jokes about their respective backgrounds, but the reaction shows that words can carry very different weight once they move from a comedy room to a much larger public audience.
At the same time, criticism should not become an excuse for threats, harassment or attempts to silence comedians. A healthier conversation would allow audiences to question insensitive humour while preserving the space for artistic expression and disagreement.
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