NCW summons comedians Pranit More, Himanshu Jangra over ₹370 biryani row
Synopsis
India's top women's rights body has summoned two comedians over a viral Gurugram stand-up act linked to the ₹370 biryani controversy, calling the content a threat to women's dignity and consent. With the NCW pressing Haryana police for an FIR and a seven-day ATR, the case is rapidly escalating from a social media flashpoint into a formal legal reckoning.
Key Takeaways
The NCW has summoned comedians Pranit More and Himanshu Jangra to appear on 22 June over the ₹370 biryani controversy .
The commission took suo motu cognisance of a viral video from a stand-up comedy show in Gurugram .
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the Haryana DGP seeking immediate action and an ATR within seven days .
The NCW has sought details on FIR registration under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the role of organisers and venue management.
The commission stated that portraying sexual coercion or disrespect toward women as humour is unconstitutional and unacceptable .
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has summoned stand-up comedians Pranit More and Himanshu Jangra to appear before the panel on 22 June over alleged objectionable remarks targeting women during a comedy show in Gurugram, in what has come to be known as the ₹370 biryani controversy. The commission took suo motu cognisance of a viral video from the event, flagging the content as deeply concerning.
What Triggered the Action
The NCW acted on widely circulated video footage of a stand-up comedy performance held in Gurugram, in which the alleged conduct — tied to the so-called ₹370 biryani incident — was reportedly presented as entertainment before a live audience. The commission expressed serious concern over the manner in which the behaviour was trivialised, stating that normalising or glorifying conduct that undermines a woman's consent, dignity, and bodily autonomy carries far-reaching consequences for women's safety and broader social attitudes toward gender-based violence.
NCW Writes to Haryana Police
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the Haryana Director General of Police, demanding immediate, stringent, and time-bound action. The commission has called for a detailed action taken report (ATR) within seven days, covering the status of FIR registration under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other applicable laws, steps taken against the individuals involved, and authentication of the viral video evidence.
Role of Organisers Under Scrutiny
The NCW has also sought clarity on the role of the event organisers, performers, and venue management in the incident. Additionally, the commission asked police to detail measures proposed to prevent public entertainment platforms and digital spaces from becoming vehicles for promoting or normalising sexual harassment, coercion, or conduct that violates women's dignity.
Commission's Stand on Consent
In a strongly worded statement, the NCW condemned the incident and reiterated that consent is non-negotiable. It stated that any attempt to portray sexual coercion, entitlement, or disrespect toward a woman's autonomy as humour or entertainment is unacceptable and contrary to the principles of equality, dignity, and safety guaranteed to women under the Constitution of India. This comes amid a broader national conversation about the boundaries of stand-up comedy and the accountability of performers on public platforms.
The case will next be heard when More and Jangra appear before the NCW on 22 June, with the Haryana police ATR also expected by then.
Point of View
Not just a public apology. What the case ultimately tests is whether the law can draw a workable line between offensive humour and content that materially normalises harm against women — a distinction courts have historically struggled to define. The viral spread of the clip, and the speed of institutional response, also underscores how social media has fundamentally changed the accountability calculus for live performers.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the NCW summoned Pranit More and Himanshu Jangra?
The NCW summoned the two comedians over alleged objectionable remarks targeting women during a stand-up show in Gurugram, linked to what is being called the ₹370 biryani controversy. The commission took suo motu cognisance after a video from the event went viral, expressing concern that the conduct was trivialised as entertainment.
What is the ₹370 biryani controversy?
The ₹370 biryani controversy refers to an incident during a stand-up comedy performance in Gurugram in which remarks allegedly connected to a biryani purchase were used in a manner the NCW says undermined a woman's consent and dignity. The viral video of the act triggered widespread outrage and prompted the commission's intervention.
What action has the NCW asked Haryana police to take?
The NCW has written to the Haryana Director General of Police seeking immediate and stringent action, including FIR registration under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other applicable laws. A detailed action taken report is due within seven days.
When are the comedians required to appear before the NCW?
Pranit More and Himanshu Jangra have been asked to appear before the National Commission for Women on 22 June.
What broader concern has the NCW raised about entertainment platforms?
The NCW has asked police to outline measures ensuring that public entertainment venues and digital platforms do not become spaces that promote or normalise sexual harassment or conduct violating women's dignity, signalling concern beyond this individual case.
