Malayalis School Jaspreet Singh Over ‘Kerala Saar’ Joke On India’s Got Latent

Comedian Jaspreet Singh has sparked considerable outrage with a joke about Kerala on India's Got Latent, drawing sharp criticism from Malayalis across social media. Initially overshadowed by Ranveer Allahbadia's controversial remarks, this incident has gained momentum, with many condemning the joke as offensive and derogatory towards Kerala's cultural and intellectual heritage.

Jaspreet Singh appeared as a judge on Samay Raina's show India's Got Latent alongside Apoorva Mukhija (The Rebel Kid), Ranveer Allahbadia (BeerBiceps), Ashish Chanchlani, and Samay Raina. The episode, which has since been removed from YouTube, faced backlash for its explicit language, inappropriate jokes, and remarks that many found distasteful.

While YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia drew criticism for his controversial question-"Would you watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join once to stop it forever?"-Jaspreet Singh's joke on Kerala was perceived as a direct insult to the state's culture and achievements.

The incident unfolded when Samay Raina asked a contestant about her political views. She replied, "Political leanings? I don't watch politics," noting that she had never voted in an election. Seizing the moment, Jaspreet Singh leaned into the mic and, using a mock accent, quipped: "Kerala saar. 100% literacy saar."

A clip of this remark quickly circulated on X, amassing over 4 million views in just two days. The backlash was immediate, with numerous users criticizing the comedian for what they viewed as an inappropriate and poorly executed joke. Many Malayali users responded with sarcastic retorts aimed at Singh and North Indian comedy as a whole.

Another remarked, "What's ironic is that someone from a state with lower literacy is mocking a state with 100% literacy."

A third user added, "Where's the roast? I pity the level of discourse. A true Malayali would have roasted him better."

The backlash spread beyond X, as Singh's previous Instagram videos faced a barrage of critical comments. Under a recent post, one user pointed out, "Paaji got deported from the US and is taking out his anger on every literate person." Another quipped, "Dude, before mocking Kerala next time, maybe you should address the issues in your own Udta Punjab first."

As criticism continues to grow, neither Singh nor the show's producers have commented on the controversy. Nonetheless, the incident has reignited discussions about the limits of comedy and the necessity for cultural sensitivity in humor. Whether Jaspreet Singh will respond to this backlash remains uncertain, but for now, his 'Kerala Saar' joke has certainly put him in a precarious position.