Vir Das puts out a clarification note on his viral ‘I Come From 2 Indias’ monologue
Actor and comedian Vir Das issued a statement on Tuesday to clarify his stand on the comments in his monologue “I come from two Indias” that wasn’t intended to insult the country.
On Monday Vir Das uploaded a video on YouTube titled “I come from two Indias”, it was a part of his recent performance at the John F Kennedy Centre in Washington DC.
In the six-minute video, Vir Das, who is currently in the US talked about the country’s dual nature and some of the most pressing concerns it faces, including the fight against COVID-19, rape cases, and a crackdown on comedians, as well as farmer demonstrations.
Many netizens circulated the clip and pictures of his monologue specifically the part where the comedian said, “I come from an India where we worship women during the day and gang-rape them during the night.”
Now the comedian took to his Twitter handle and posted a statement that his intention was to sever as a reminder that the country, despite its issues, was “great.”
“It ends in a gigantic patriotic round of applause for a country we all love, believe in, and are proud of. That there is more to our country than the headlines, a deep beauty. That’s the point of the video and the reason for the applause,” his statement read.
Mr Das said that people support the nation out of optimism, not “hate,” and warned his followers not to be deceived by altered video.
“Please do not be fooled by edited snippets. People cheer for India with hope, not hate. People clap for India with respect, not malice. You cannot sell tickets, earn applause, or represent a great people with negativity, only with pride. I take pride in my country, and I carry that pride across the world.
“To me, a room full of people anywhere in the world, giving India an ovation is pure love. I ask of you, the same thing I asked of that audience…to focus on the light, remember our greatness, and spread the love,” he added.
