iWorld
Supreme Court tells comedians to apologise for mocking disabled
NEW DELH: The supreme court on Monday ordered five stand-up comics, including YouTuber Samay Raina, to publish public apologies on YouTube and other social platforms for cracking jokes at the expense of persons with disabilities (PwDs).
A bench of justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a plea by SMA Cure Foundation, represented by senior advocate Aparajita Singh, which flagged offensive remarks by Raina, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar alias Sonali Aditya Desai and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar.
The court said it would determine financial penalties later, but made clear that “the degree of repentance should be higher than the degree of offending”. It also allowed the information and broadcasting ministry to join the proceedings, with attorney general R Venkataramani asked to draft guidelines on social media speech, ensuring dignity without imposing a gag.
Justice Bagchi warned that comedy which commercialises speech by ridiculing communities crosses the line: “Humour is part of life. We laugh at ourselves. But when it targets others and breaches sensibility, it becomes problematic.”
Justice Kant added that penal consequences under the IT Act should match the harm caused.
Singh suggested that the comedians use their influence to spread awareness about disability rights, calling it the best form of apology. The judges asked the comics to respond to this proposal, noting that influencers have a duty not to hurt marginalised communities.
The matter stems from Raina’s alleged jokes about the cost of treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, which the foundation said mocked both patients and their families. The court earlier compelled the comedians’ attendance, though their presence has now been dispensed with, provided they honour their undertakings.
The bench stressed that free speech under Article 19 cannot override the right to dignity under Article 21. As Justice Kant put it: “Today it is the disabled, tomorrow it could be something else. Where will this end?”
iWorld
Crocs India ropes in Rakesh Bedi for quirky new digital campaign
Veteran actor brings humour and nostalgia to brand’s latest ‘Crocshake’ film.
MUMBAI: Crocs has decided to shake things up quite literally by teaming up with veteran actor Rakesh Bedi for its latest digital campaign. The campaign, conceptualised by One Hand Clap, cleverly taps into the current wave of nostalgia and character-led content. It features Rakesh Bedi, who is currently enjoying renewed popularity after Dhurandhar, in a series of increasingly chaotic yet humorous everyday situations.
At the centre of the film is a simple handshake that spirals into a chain of unexpected twists, culminating in the fun “Crocshake.” The light-hearted narrative highlights how ordinary social moments can turn into memorable ones, perfectly aligning with Crocs’ brand ethos of individuality, comfort, and self-expression.
Crocs India country manager Manoj Juneja said the campaign reflects the brand’s desire to stay culturally relevant. “This collaboration with Rakesh Bedi blends humour, nostalgia, and contemporary trends to create content that entertains and sparks conversations,” he noted.
Rakesh Bedi added, “What I loved about this campaign was how naturally the humour came through. It takes a simple, everyday situation and turns it into something completely unexpected. It’s always exciting to be part of something audiences can instantly connect with.”
The campaign builds on Crocs India’s ongoing strategy of creating relatable, digital-first storytelling that resonates with a wide audience while staying true to the brand’s playful personality.
In a crowded footwear market, Crocs continues to stand out by keeping things fun, comfortable, and conversation-worthy proving once again that sometimes all you need is a good shake (or Crocshake) to make your mark.
