Sejal Pawar (right), an MBBS student at Mumbai's prestigious King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, had joked about comparing the genitalia sizes of male cadavers during dissection at comedian Pranit More's show
After Rs 370 biryani, Mumbai doc faces probe for 'male cadaver' joke
Recent viral controversies involving sexist entitlement, disrespect of medical cadavers reveal how modern stand-up trades genuine wit for lazy, snide swipes
Over the years, Indian comedy has repeatedly found itself at the center of fierce debates surrounding sexism, objectification, and shock value.
While great comedy is inherently designed to challenge social norms, mock authority, expose hypocrisy, and force audiences to confront uncomfortable truths, it occasionally crosses an ethical line. At time, when punchlines venture into highly sensitive territory without nuance, they make people deeply uneasy and alienated.
Tasteless jokes
Consider two recent examples: a joke about how a woman owes a man for a free dinner, and a medical professional joking about the sizes of male genitalia of cadavers had clearly crossed the border. These were not just jokes to evoke laughter, it was a reflection of real-world entitlement and breached professional boundaries.
Sejal Pawar, an MBBS student at Mumbai's prestigious King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, had joked about comparing the genitalia sizes of male cadavers during dissection at comedian Pranit More's show. This happened three month ago. But, her comments were fished out and the clip went viral causing widespread outrage over the "disrespectful portrayal" of body donors.
In response, the KEM Hospital administration has strongly condemned the remarks and initiated a formal inquiry.
"Such remarks are completely unacceptable and intolerable," Dr Harish Pathak, Dean of King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital and Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College told the media.
"We exercise sensitivity when it comes to talking about dead people since their organs can be donated for medical purposes. We have constituted a two-member committee to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. Appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation expected by evening."
Apologetic
In a public apology issued following the backlash, Sejal Pawar took full responsibility for her remarks, acknowledging that the sensitivity of the topic required far greater discretion.
"Having watched it back, I completely understand why people were upset by what I said," Pawar stated. "While there was never any intention to disrespect anyone, I recognise that impact matters more than intent."
Reflecting on the incident, the MBBS student described it as a profound learning experience that has forced her to re-evaluate how she communicates regarding subjects that demand sensitivity. She concluded her statement by expressing genuine regret to everyone hurt or disappointed by the viral clip, promising that she would ensure such a lapse in judgment never happens again.
The All India Medical Students' Association too has condemned the "insensitive, irresponsible, and disrespectful portrayal" of cadavers and body donors.
"Every cadaver represents a noble individual who made the selfless decision of body donation for the advancement of medical education and scientific learning. It is because of these donors that generations of medical students are able to learn human anatomy and become doctors dedicated to saving countless lives. Such contributions deserve the highest degree of dignity, gratitude, and respect," the statement issued by AIMSA read.
Sexist remarks
Prior to Sejal's case, a huge controversy broke out when at More's show, a 22-year-old Gurugram resident, Himanshu Jangra, shared a recent dating anecdote.
Jangra openly suggested that buying a woman a meal worth ₹370 entitled him to physical intimacy in return. While the live crowd and the comedian laughed along, the online reaction was vastly different. Once the clip hit the internet, it triggered massive outrage, with critics slamming the remarks as sexist, regressive, and deeply alarming.
Also read: ‘Rs 370 biryani’ joke costs youth his job, raising several questions for society
Netizens fiercely argued that purchasing dinner does not buy sexual consent.
Jokes on women
The pattern is difficult to ignore. Women, their relationships, their choices, their bodies often become material for comedians, say other women comedians. And audiences are encouraged to treat those experiences as 'relatable humour'.
"The shared humiliation of a woman is a very common male bonding ritual," Aditi Mittal said, arguing that the Rs 370 biryani clip was hardly unusual.
"I can't say that when I saw that video, I was surprised at all," she said, adding that similar conversations happen constantly, both online and offline.
Another widely discussed controversy in the past was when comedian Kaviraj Singh compared female influencers to sex workers during a performance. Influencer Kusha Kapila had argued that what disturbed her most was not the joke itself but the applause it received.
Sadly, jokes on women are fodder for humour in India.