Vir Das Booked For Insulting India In Viral 'Two Indias' Monologue At Kennedy Center, Comedian Clarifies

Comedian Vir Das¡¯ ¡®Two Indias¡¯ monologue that he delivered at the Kennedy Center, Washington D.C., has managed to offend a lot of 'Indians'.

According to a report, a complaint was filed against Das for making ¡°derogatory statements against India" on Tuesday, 16 November.

YouTube

According to a News18 report, the complaint was lodged with the Mumbai Police by high court lawyer Ashutosh Dubey, who serves as the legal advisor of BJP-Maharashtra Palghar District.

Delhi: Complaint received against actor-comedian Vir Das at Tilak Marg Police Station in connection with a viral video in which he is allegedly using derogatory language against the nation during an event in US.

(Photo courtesy: Vir Das' Instagram account) pic.twitter.com/KfTeH08oX9

¡ª ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2021

The video sparked a debate on social media.

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As soon as Vir uploaded his monologue on his Youtube channel, everyone started watching, reacting and sharing parts from his video.

I don't agree with much that Vir Das said in his #TwoIndias speech. Nor do I agree with Kangana's views on India's Independence. But I disagree with rabid calls to ban or persecute either. If our truth is solid, we can listen, argue, move on. A democracy does not silence dissent.

¡ª Apurva (@Apurvasrani) November 17, 2021

What Vir Das says is no different than what some Indians say forth immigration officials in US, UK, Canada. Yet only former is ridiculed whereas the latter are adored. Idea of Bharat/India isn't fragile to be tarnished by such ignorants yearing for riches & popularity.

¡ª U Mahesh Prabhu (@indiamahesh) November 17, 2021

While a few gave the monologue a thumbs-up, others started trolling the comedian.

I doubt if @thevirdas has EVER worshipped a woman, his confession of what he does at night of course is totally believable, considering he appears to be such a tharki creep! pic.twitter.com/T794j7ujos

¡ª Shefali Vaidya. ?? (@ShefVaidya) November 16, 2021

Sir ye kaisa hai? Brilliant? pic.twitter.com/Tv0EkQP1qT

¡ª kadwa sach (@kadwasa93037942) November 17, 2021

Kuch to shram kr le @thevirdas...!! pic.twitter.com/cF5oR7fRro

¡ª Aayush ?? (@iAayushDubey) November 17, 2021

In the six-minute video, Das talks about India as a country and how there have been two extremes that he has seen as a citizen of the country.

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Talking about issues and matters that concern the country, Das spoke about the battle against COVID-19, gang rapes, a crackdown against comedians, and the farmers¡¯ protests.

One of his lines from the monologue goes:

¡°I come from an India where we worship women during the day and gang-rape them during the night."

This line evoked an adverse reaction from certain sections of people. Amidst the uproar and chaos, Vir issued a statement clarifying that his comments in his monologue.

In his opinion, he explained how he never intended to insult the country. In his note, he wrote how he planned to serve as a reminder that the government was " great despite its issues."

He wrote:

? pic.twitter.com/1xwR4Qp5Fw

¡ª Vir Das (@thevirdas) November 16, 2021

¡°The video is a satire about the duality of two very separate India¡¯s that do different things. Like any nation has light and dark, good and evil within it. None of this is a secret. The video appeals for us to never forget that we are great. To never stop focusing on what makes us great. It ends in a gigantic patriotic round of applause for a country we all love, believe in and are proud of. That there is more to our country than the headlines, a deep beauty. That¡¯s the point of the video and the reason for the applause."

He reminded everyone that people from all over the globe cheer for India with hope and not ¡°hate".

He also urged his followers not to be misled by edited clips.

¡°Please do not be fooled by edited snippets. People cheer for India with hope, not hate. People clap for India with respect, not malice. You cannot sell tickets, earn applause, or represent great people with negativity, only with pride. I take pride in my country, and I carry that pride across the world. To me, a room full of people anywhere in the world, giving India a standing ovation, is pure love. I ask of you, the same thing I asked of that audience¡­to focus on the light, remember our greatness, and spread the love."

On Monday, Das, who is currently in the U.S., uploaded a video on YouTube titled ¡°I come from two Indias".

His monologue was a part of a performance at the John F Kennedy Centre in Washington DC.