The Supreme Court on Monday reprimanded YouTubers and digital influencers for derogatory content against persons with disabilities, ordering them to issue public apologies and warning that repeat violations could lead to financial penalties. The court’s stern remarks came while hearing a plea against comedians and influencers accused of making “insensitive jokes” about differently abled individuals.

‘Community Shouldn’t Be a Punchline’

The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, ordered the influencers to file affidavits listing steps they would take to use their platforms for spreading awareness about disability rights.

“The apology you tendered before the court, give the same before your social media too,” the bench told the accused comedians. The judges further underlined the responsibility that comes with influence: “Humour is well taken and is a part of life. We laugh at ourselves. But when we start laughing at others and breach sensibility on a community plane, it becomes problematic… Influencers are commercializing speech. The community at large should not be utilized to hurt sentiments.”

Complaint by SMA Cure Foundation

The directive came while hearing a plea filed by SMA Cure Foundation, which flagged “insensitive jokes” by comedians Samay Raina, Vipun Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar, and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar. The case also involved YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, whose podcast India’s Got Latent sparked public outrage.