The Twitter thread outing comedian Ustav Chakraborty as a sexual harasser started an avalanche that has dealt a fatal blow to All India Bakchod (AIB).
AIB’s two co-founders, Tanmay Bhat and Gursimran Khamba will be stepping way from the comedy collective indefinitely.
The woman who wrote the Twitter thread about Utsav had also alleged that she had spoken to the co-founders of AIB, with whom Ustav was working until the end of 2016.
In light of this revelation, and of AIB founder Tanmay Bhat’s complicity in the whole issue, the comedy collective issued an official apology. Bhat shared the same on his Twitter and apologised for his inaction.
https://twitter.com/thetanmay/status/1048137448402944000
https://twitter.com/thetanmay/status/1048141835472973824
However, in another shocking revelation, poet Harnidh Kaur today shared an anonymous victim’s account of sexual harassment by AIB co-founder Gursimran Khamba.
Gursimran Khamba from @AllIndiaBakchod. The survivor wishes to stay anonymous. #MeToo #TimesUp #BelieveHer pic.twitter.com/B9PTYJT8LE
— harnidh (@chiaseedpuddin) October 8, 2018
In lieu of Tanmay Bhat’s involvement in the Utsav Chakraborty controversy, and the abovementioned allegations that have surfaced against Gursimran Khamba, AIB has put out a statement that both the founders will be temporarily dissociating themselves from the comedy collective.
“We cannot overlook Tanmay’s role and in light of this, he will be stepping away from his association with AIB till further notice. This implies that Tanmay will not be involved with the day to day functioning of AIB or in any other manner.”
As for Khamba, he will be on a temporary leave of absence until further clarity is obtained on the matter. Read the full statement here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoqxrM8hfMv/?taken-by=allindiabakchod
“Truthfully, we do not know what this means for the future of AIB or whether there is one. In the interim, Ashish Shakya, Rohan Joshi and other senior team members will work towards being able to answer that question over the next several months.”
Following the statement, Khamba has also issued a statement categorically denying the allegations against him.
The future of AIB right now indeed seems on shaky grounds. And the waiting game begins.