Following backlash over the 'Rs 370 biryani' remarks on his show, comedian Pranit More issued a second apology on Saturday, calling his lack of objection to the comment a 'lapse in judgment'.
Facing a cyber police case for allegedly disseminating 'obscene and objectionable' content, More pleaded for a second chance, days after his social media accounts were deactivated.
It all happened during his show in Gurugram recently. While interacting with the crowd, a web developer, Himanshu Jangra, recounted an instance when he paid Rs 370 for a plate of chicken biryani. When the woman asked him to drop her home, Jangra said he sought sexual favours for the money he spent on the biryani. Both Jangra and More laughed at the comments, but later drew ire from social media.
More and Jangra later apologised after facing severe backlash on social media.
"I deserve this hate. That man said many derogatory things, but everyone was laughing, so I also got carried away. This was a big mistake. I could have stopped him then and there and taken a stand. I gave him a platform, and that escalated matters so fast. I want to apologise to all those who got hurt," he said on Saturday.
He called for a second chance and assured that his work would reflect his efforts to become a better person.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Thursday summoned More and Jangra for allegedly glorifying sexual coercion and non-consensual behaviour. Jangra has since been fired from his job following the controversy.
A separate clip from the show drew backlash after MBBS student Sejal Pawar made derogatory remarks about medical cadavers. Authorities flagged the content as a violation of the dignity of the dead, and Pawar has since apologised.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said stand-up comedians should be mindful that their freedom of expression does not violate another person's right to dignity. "Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, and I myself watch stand-up comedy. It is a source of entertainment. But freedom of expression should not become a licence," he said.
