Comedian Samay Raina has come under scrutiny from the Supreme Court due to his inappropriate comments regarding an infant diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Raina, known for his role in “India’s Got Latent,” has found himself in legal trouble once more as the Supreme Court expressed its dismay over his remarks, which were perceived as mocking a serious medical condition affecting a young child.
This incident follows a previous controversy involving a joke made by fellow comedian Ranveer Allahbadia about parents and sexuality on the same show, which has also implicated Raina in ongoing legal proceedings. Justice Surya Kant voiced the court’s concern regarding Raina’s comments about individuals with disabilities, stating, “We are truly disturbed by these allegations. We will document such instances… involve the relevant parties… and propose measures.
We will then assess the situation.” The Supreme Court’s response was prompted by an intervention application from the Cure SMA Foundation of India, which urged the court to acknowledge the exorbitant costs associated with medications for treating SMA. It is important to highlight that life-saving treatments for SMA, such as Zolgensma, a one-time gene therapy, can cost around Rs 16 crore. The application emphasized that these medications are unaffordable for a significant portion of the population, making Raina’s alleged mockery of the fundraising efforts necessary for low-income families to access these treatments particularly inappropriate.
The foundation called for “the utmost sensitivity and compassion” when discussing individuals affected by SMA. During his show, Raina referenced a charity case involving a two-month-old infant, remarking, “Something outrageous has occurred; a two-month-old baby needs a Rs 16 crore injection.” He then addressed a woman in the audience, asking, “Ma’am, if you were that mother and suddenly Rs 16 crore appeared in your bank account… while caring for a two-month-old… wouldn’t you at least consult your husband?”
