India’s Got Latent Controversy: SC Tells Samay Raina To Support Differently-Abled Through Charity

Comedian Samay Raina has been directed by the Supreme Court to contribute to social causes following remarks he made on a recent episode of India’s Got Latent. During the show, Raina commented on the high

cost of a medical treatment for a two-month-old Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) patient, prompting concerns from the Cure SMA Foundation.

In its order on Thursday, the Supreme Court instructed Raina, along with four other content creators including Vipul Goyal, Sonali Thakkar, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar to organise two fundraising events every month for persons with disabilities, including SMA patients.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant explained the rationale behind the directive, stating, “We hope and expect that such few memorable events will take place before we hear the matter next. It’s a social burden we are putting on you (comedians) not penal burden. You are all well-placed persons in the society. If you have become too popular, then share it with others (sic),” as reported by TOI.

The bench further encouraged the comedians to highlight success stories of differently-abled individuals. They were also asked to feature specially-abled persons on their platforms and actively promote fundraising initiatives to ensure timely medical support for those in need. The court expressed hope that the comedians would conduct at least one or two events before their next hearing.

The Supreme Court’s order follows a plea by the Cure SMA Foundation seeking action against Raina and the other content creators for making what it described as an “insensitive remark” about SMA patients. In the episode, Raina had referenced the one-time cost of the gene therapy Zolgensma, joking about how a mother might react if Rs 16 crore suddenly appeared in her husband’s bank account.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a rare genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the SMN1 gene (survival motor neuron gene 1), according to the Cure SMA Foundation. The gene produces a protein essential for nerves controlling muscles. Reduced protein production in SMA patients leads to progressive muscle weakness and impaired muscle function.