Last month, stand-up comedian Vir Das faced a lot of flak online for making a joke on pronouns. Later, he took the joke down and apologised for it. However, recently he uploaded a video on YouTube addressing the incident.
In the video, his set includes jokes on pronouns, trans people, rape, cancel culture, privilege and a few other sensitive topics.
You may have a look at the entire video here:
This didn’t go down well with several people online. Many accused Vir Das of ‘punching down’ (making jokes on people less powerful/privileged than you) and normalising transphobic jokes and explained how it is not okay.
Apologise, @thevirdas . Accountability is not cancel culture. Transphobia is not funny. Joking about pronouns isn't funny. Your jokes are from a from the vantage point of a self-satisfied straight guy who finds trans persons inherently comical. pic.twitter.com/SZLRkscBQ6
— Rohin (@BhattRohin) August 12, 2021
Vir Das was never cancelled. He wouldn't still be doing comedy if he was. What he's doing rn is normalising transphobia in an effort to salvage his bruised ego. The comments on his video serve as proof.
Maybe these guys should get into comedy they have the same jokes as him. pic.twitter.com/nljPoLkd9w
— dev manus (@devyanibiriyani) August 11, 2021
Your progressive comedian is now gaslighting trans folks by saying we are taking his jokes out of context. Vir Das we have watched the video and it's transphobic. "My intention was to make you laugh🥺" well guess what trans people aren't there for you to mock and milk "content"
— Anandita. (@mightbeanaa) August 12, 2021
And another thing I have followed all your work online and live on stage. I know your views but here the words and jokes you used are simply too much triggering. If the community is saying it is Transphobic listen to them.
— Ritushree 🌈 (@QueerNaari) August 12, 2021
Imagine having so few relevant things to say that you joke about people using, and asking others to address them, with certain pronouns. That Vir Das bit is incredibly transphobic. It is also punching down and proud of being disrespectful, as if that is some kind of win.
— Neerja (@neerjadeodhar) August 12, 2021
Vir Das is such a shit person , cause wth , he makes fun of pronouns and then goes on to be blatantly transphobic , i mean why is he even relevant as of now ?
— dedboihours (@discotimeitis) August 11, 2021
Hey @thevirdas sirf angrezi jhaadne se aur upper middle class hone se, you cannot say any sh*t you want and we will accept it ki haan bhai sahi hi bola hoga.
You are pathetic, accept it!— Socialist स्त्री (@not_centre) August 11, 2021
U chose humanity by being transphobic Vir, there’s no point in expressing gratitude by “🙏🏻” just know that you’ve made it worse for an already very marginalised and oppressed community.
— puru (@oopspuruagain) August 11, 2021
vir das a cis hindu man got his ego so hurt after getting canceled on twt for making fun pronouns joke that he did a whole ass segment about cancel culture by making transphobic jokes like suddenly I’m a fan of cancel culture if it gets privileged men so riled up
— muskaan (@hyunbvc) August 11, 2021
Vir Das being transphobic and calling trans people privileged might be ironically the only satirical comedy he’s ever done
— FL🅰️CKO (@yeezyyash) August 12, 2021
transphobic jokes, r@pe jokes, pronoun jokes? vir das what the fuck?? get your shit together
— sabby⁷ hates the vmas ! (@negativityl0ver) August 12, 2021
Hey vir, thanks for encouraging transphobia further. People are already making transphobic jokes in the comments 💯
— moom (@lunaa_del_rey) August 11, 2021
tw// transphobia
Vir Das making transphobic jokes about how "atleast trans people can remove the organs not working for them" is absolutely a horrid and nasty thing to say while thousands of trans people are losing their lives because they can't access gender affirming medical- pic.twitter.com/IfRZ6mE1Zw— lavnya🌻 (@lavhatesyou) August 11, 2021
vir das made fun of pronouns and when he got cancelled for it (and cancelled here is just a word) he goes on making even more disgusting transphobic jokes.
cishet men truly do not understand the meaning of an apology and shutting the fuck up— ash (@ashxexile) August 11, 2021
@thevirdas aimed to be an edgy boomer and hit the transphobic piece of shit mark 20ft below the ground.
Not even going to explain why this is the worst piece of comedy to come out. Proves that Indian comedians have no content if they can't punch down at marginalised people. pic.twitter.com/DdGLlIY0ue— han-nah (@hannecdotess) August 11, 2021
What are your views on this incident? Tell us.