No Trevor Noah, Now Is Not The Time To Mock Indo-Pak Tension

By: Chandan Kumar |
March 1, 2019 4:34 pm

This is one wisecrack Trevor Noah probably could have done without. The South African comedian, who hosts one of America’s most popular satirical news shows, The Daily Show, found himself bang in the middle of a raging controversy. In a recent episode of the show, Noah tried to crack a joke over the growing tension between India and Pakistan. Twitter would have none of it and slammed him for the ‘racist’ and ‘insensitive’ jokes.

On Friday, captured IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was released by Pakistan at the Wagah border.

However, in a video of the American talk show that has gone viral on social media, Trevor said that he hopes that two countries don’t go to war but if they do “it would be the most entertaining war ever”.

Noah, decided to stretch the joke further by adding a Bollywood reference. He imitated soldiers singing and doing dance numbers on the border. He further added that it will be the longest war because of the ‘dance numbers’.

What kind of an ignoramus do you have to be to call a War between India and Pakistan “entertaining”? #TrevorNoah pic.twitter.com/SNsLhUYOst

— Hemant Gaule (@hemantgaule) March 1, 2019

Insensitivity can’t be passed off as dark #humour. @Trevornoah this is in bad taste. War isn’t funny, and no amount of smart writing can justify this. #TrevorNoah https://t.co/lZkjkfrCYA

— Anindita Chatterjee (@CapitalistSage) March 1, 2019

I am truly a big fan of your work @Trevornoah but this isn’t Funny or Cool !! #TrevorNoah https://t.co/M04Ys004vG

— Arvind Garg (@iamarvindgarg) March 1, 2019

Many took to the social media to point out that Trevor’s remarks are not only ‘racist’ but also trivialises the Pulwama attack wherein over 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives.

I’ve really always liked ur humour @Trevornoah. Really have. And we In India have a good sense of humour. This still crosses a line. We’ve lost our forces to terror attacks. Somehow it doesn’t sound as funny. #JustSaying #TheDailyShow pic.twitter.com/qknBmi6qfd

— Sonal Kalra (@sonalkalra) February 28, 2019

@Trevornoah Really do you think India Pakistan going to war is funny and 40 men who guard the country dying and their families never getting them back is worth the jokes? How low can you get with your jokes? Lost respect #TrevorNoah

— Anurag (@AnuragH86) March 1, 2019