Here’s What Comedians & Satirists Had To Say About The TVF Molestation Row

After a blog post accusing Arunabh Kumar, the CEO of The Viral Fever (TVF) of sexual harassment went viral, multiple women have come forward and shared similar painful experiences on various social media platforms.

Following the scandal which has sparked a storm, pressure was brewing on fellow members from the comedy fraternity to voice their opinions on the issue.

Aditi Mittal was perhaps the first one to speak up and was clearly furious with her peers’ silence over the issue and asked them to raise their voice

Silence from the comedy community is deafening.EVERYONE still”texting contacts”/”verifying facts” inspite of hearing stories abt it for yrs?
— Aditi Mittal (@awryaditi) March 13, 2017

She also complained of the inherent sexism in the comedy industry and said that this is the reason why women in the Indian comedy scene is so low.

They wanted to work, do fun, amazing things in comedy, how is it fair to them to first suffer in silence &then get slammed for speaking out?
— Aditi Mittal (@awryaditi) March 13, 2017

And THAT my friends is why “there are so few female comics” a question that I get CONSTANTLY asked as if I should have the ans to the ques.
— Aditi Mittal (@awryaditi) March 13, 2017

The fact that the diggaj-log of comedy who make videos & even take money from brands for their saleable feminism are quiet today is telling
— Aditi Mittal (@awryaditi) March 13, 2017

Amit, why are there more than 9 women/young girls with this claim? How is everyone coming out to tell a concerted lie AT THE SAME TIME? https://t.co/mgWIzhWCBe
— Aditi Mittal (@awryaditi) March 13, 2017

Sorabh Pant, founder of East India Comedy called for a serious approach and said that the issue was larger than just the comedy industry

Don’t care if you’re friend, foe, in the ‘industry’.
If this volume of women are coming out against you.You may have a terrible problem.— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) March 13, 2017

FYI: this is not about comedy.
Or, TVF (who I really like) V. EIC V. AIB.This is about something way bigger.And, it can’t be ignored.— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) March 13, 2017

Comedian Rajneesh Kapoor pointed out the hypocrisy

It’s fascinating. All the ‘bold’ comics ‘fearlessly’ mocking people in power now have to think, “Yaar, career kharab ho jayega”.
— Rajneesh (@MrMrRajneesh) March 13, 2017

I don’t know the truth here but as @Just_Screams tweets, “At least conduct a pretend investigation before dismissing claims as ‘ludicurous'”
— Rajneesh (@MrMrRajneesh) March 13, 2017

All India Bakchod’s Tanmay Bhatt and Rohan Joshi criticised sexual harassment at workplaces and urged startups to strengthen measures for women’s safety

It is very hard for women to speak up against harassment at the work place and as entrepreneurs it is our duty to make them feel safe.
— Tanmay Bhat (@thetanmay) March 13, 2017

Startups, or any company, have a responsibility to do sexual harassment training, sensitivity training, set up a committee to deal with this
— Tanmay Bhat (@thetanmay) March 13, 2017

TVF’s rebuttal suggests no investigation of any sort. If they’re all lies, what better way to prove that than investigate impartially?
— Rohan (@mojorojo) March 13, 2017

AIB’s Ashish Shakya appreciated women for speaking up and hoped for a fair and impartial investigation into the matter

And seriously, kudos to the women who spoke out. Cannot imagine how difficult it must have been.
— Ashish Shakya (@stupidusmaximus) March 13, 2017

Sickened by all the allegations coming to the fore. There’s no place for such behaviour in 2017.
— Ashish Shakya (@stupidusmaximus) March 13, 2017

Daniel Fernandes echoed the same sentiment

My apologies and support to all the women who’ve come forth with their harrowing experiences. You didn’t deserve this. #TVF
— Daniel Fernandes (@absolutelydanny) March 13, 2017

Kanan Gill stressed on educating what constitutes ‘sexual harassment’ and demanded a safe environment for people to voice their issues

It’s vital to learn what sexual harassment is. The “harmless” things you think you say and do could be making people very uncomfortable
— Kanan Gill (@KananGill) March 14, 2017

Mainly you can’t decide how other people should feel. Create a safe environment where people can voice their issues and listen aaaand change
— Kanan Gill (@KananGill) March 14, 2017

This is for everyone. Take a step back and really look at how you behave in the workplace and out. Pobody’s Nerfect
— Kanan Gill (@KananGill) March 14, 2017

Strongly criticising the issue, Mallika Dua asked women to speak up

Thank you guys for making this about everything else but women’s safety.
— Mallika Dua (@MallikaDua) March 14, 2017

Its not about Bombay or Delhi or Muzzafarpur or LA. It happens to us everywhere and its not fucking okay. Not okay to be silent about it.
— Mallika Dua (@MallikaDua) March 13, 2017

Comedian and ex-VJ José Covaco took to “correcting” the official response put out by TVF