In the past, laughter, which serves as a release for one's emotions, did not attract the provisions of law. It was repaid with a counter-offensive laugh.
Published Jun 18, 2025 | 9:34 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 18, 2025 | 9:34 AM
Kommineni Srinivasa Rao.
Synopsis: Recently, Telugu news anchor Kommineni Srinivasa Rao was arrested for laughing at a comment made by a panellist. However, the Supreme Court questioned the arrest, asking when laughter became a crime. Past instances show how such laughs were not taken seriously and were often brushed off.
They say laughter is the best medicine, but in Andhra Pradesh, it might just land you in jail. Take the case of veteran Telugu news anchor Kommineni Srinivasa Rao. One fine morning in Hyderabad, the police came knocking. Why? Because he laughed. Yes, you read that right. Laughed.
His action occurred while a panellist on his show made some rather tasteless comments about Amaravati and its women residents. Apparently, chuckling on live TV is now a non-bailable offence — at least in the eyes of overzealous law enforcement. Never mind that even the Supreme Court raised a curious eyebrow and asked: “When did laughing become a crime?”
In the past, laughter, which serves as a release for one’s emotions, did not attract the provisions of law. It was repaid with a counter-offensive laugh.
Remember the legendary laugh that rocked the Rajya Sabha? Rewind to 7 February 2018. Congress Rajya Sabha MP Renuka Chowdhury broke into a no-holds-barred, earth-shaking laugh during a session presided over by the then-chairman M Venkaiah Naidu. Her amusement was sparked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claim that Aadhaar was the brainchild of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998.
Naidu, visibly rattled, advised her to consult a doctor — because apparently, excessive laughter is a medical condition now.
However, the prime minister wasn’t going to let that slide. He fired back with vintage Modi-wit, saying her laugh reminded him of “those Ramayan serial days”—a playful jab at the mythical cackle of Ravana’s sister Shurpanakha. Cue the BJP benches breaking into synchronised laughter, turning the Upper House into Comedy Central.
And what’s laughter without a little jet lag? Let’s hop across the Atlantic—no, not on a Boeing 787-8, we value our lives. Back in 2016, during her US presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton’s laughter became a headline-hogging event.
In response to tough questions about her private email server, she let out a long, hearty, shoulder-shaking guffaw, punctuated by a sharp “Oh please!” The American media dubbed it “Shrillary”. Critics said she was using laughter to dodge the bullet. Supporters said it was just her way of coping with the absurdity of American politics. Either way, the soundbite lived rent-free in voters’ minds for weeks.
Back to India, where in legislative assemblies, laughter is often used as a weapon of mass distraction. One man’s chuckle is another man’s insult. Depending on which side of the aisle you’re sitting on, laughter is either democratic dissent or disrespectful drama.
So, while the world debates freedom of speech, in Andhra Pradesh, we’re dealing with freedom of smirk. But be warned — before you laugh next time, check who’s watching. The laws have evolved, and maybe it is a good idea to keep bail money handy.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)
