Randeep Hooda was seen making a problematic joke on the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati. The video didn’t go down well with a section of netizens who has called the actor’s behaviour “casteist”, “sexist” and also demanded an apology.
Actor Randeep Hooda was at the centre of a growing social media storm on Wednesday over a nine-year video during which he’s seen making derogatory comments against Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati. The 43-second clip from an event organised by a media house in 2012 resurfaced when a Twitter user shared it. Hooda cracks a joke, being castigated as casteist and sexist, and is seen laughing together with the audience.
The video didn’t go down well with a part of netizens who has called the actor’s behaviour “casteist”, “sexist” and also demanded an apology.
Calling out Hooda for his inappropriate joke, the user wrote, “If this does not explain how casteist and sexist this society is, especially towards Dalit women, i don’t know what will. the ‘joke’, the audacity, the crowd. randeep hooda, top bollywood actor talking about a dalit woman, who has been the voice of the oppressed (sic).”
CPIML leader and activist Kavita Krishnan also commented on the video. “Not a “joke” @RandeepHooda . You notice no one makes “jokes” saying a male politician is too ugly to f*? you are doing what casteist, misogynist, insecure tds do when confronted with women whose strength they fear: attack the woman as unattractive.”
“@RandeepHooda This shows how sexist, casteist, and foolish you are!! #Casteist_Termites #Casteism #sexism,” wrote another user.
“Mr Randeep Hooda will pay for this, Indian audience would not forgive him, I as an obc person strongly condemn his remarks,” posted another user.
“@RandeepHooda Miss Mayawati is considered “behan” by most of Dalit population of UP. She isn’t just a politician, a Dalit icon too. Anyway, it’s very sexist and misogynistic comment. Suppose anyone saying saying this to your sister? Apologize,” expressed another user.
“It took me while to understand this, and i realised that We are still living in such a feeble society. How casteist, misogynistic & sexist slur was that. @RandeepHooda. Praising her strength in politics against all of her odds wouldn’t have caused you any harm,” wrote another user.
Many were disturbed by the clip and stated that Hooda should apologise. “This is horrid,” wrote one, while another commented, “Randeep Hooda, apologise.” yet another person lambasted Hooda and posted a comment which read, “Randeep Hooda, is this your mindset about a lady who was 4 times CM of a State? this is sickness.” Randeep Hooda is yet to reply on the matter.
Earlier, many Indian stand-up comedians and digital influencers were called out on social media for making casteist and sexist jokes or tweets in the past.
