Rs 370 biryani row: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis backs free speech but flags limits on dignity in comedy debate

MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that while the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, it also places safeguards to ensure the right is not misused, adding that speech should respect societal dignity and boundaries.Referring to the ongoing controversy linked to the “Rs 370 biryani row”, Fadnavis said that unrestricted expression can infringe upon the rights of individuals to live with dignity.“The Constitution of India grants everyone the freedom of expression. However, it also establishes safeguards to ensure this freedom is not misused. When expression becomes unrestrained, it infringes upon the right of individuals in society to live with dignity,” he said.He further added that while stand-up comedy is widely enjoyed, it should not cross the limits of social decency.

“While everyone enjoys stand-up comedy, and I watch it myself, it is not right to violate societal boundaries or the limits of dignity in the pursuit of entertainment. That would amount to an injustice against people. Therefore, I feel that stand-up comedy should be performed with due regard for at least the minimum parameters of dignity, ” Fadnavis said.

Earlier, the National Commission for Women (NCW) took suo motu cognizance of an incident during a stand-up comedy show in Gurgaon, Haryana, after a viral video showed remarks allegedly glorifying sexual coercion and non-consensual conduct towards a woman.The Commission on Thursday said it had taken note of media reports and video footage related to the incident, where the remarks were allegedly made publicly.The women’s rights body expressed concern over the content of the viral video and the way the alleged conduct was presented before a public audience.“The Commission observed that the normalisation or glorification of behaviour that undermines a woman’s consent, dignity, and bodily autonomy has far-reaching consequences for women’s safety and social attitudes towards gender-based violence,” NCW said.The Commission said that such acts could affect public attitudes towards women’s safety and gender-based violence.The Commission has issued hearing notices to comedian Pranit More and Himanshu Jangra in connection with the matter.Both have been summoned to appear before the Commission on June 22.