New Delhi: YouTuber Bhuvan Bam has issued an apology after a video where he made objectionable remarks on ‘pahadi women’ drew flak from netizens.
Bhuvan Bam’s apology comes after National Commission for Women (NCW) took note of the matter and urged the Delhi Police to file an FIR against him.
Replying to a tweet, the commission wrote, “@NCWIndia has taken cognisance. Chairperson @sharmarekha has written to @CPDelhi to register FIR & to take strict action in the matter. NCW has also written to Secy, Ministry of Electronics & IT to take appropriate action against the YouTube channel for violating dignity of women.”
Clarifying that his intention was not to hurt any individual, the YouTuber took to Twitter on Friday and wrote, “I’m aware that a section in my video has hurt some people. I have edited it to remove that part. People who know me know I have utmost respect for women. I had no intention to hurt anyone. A heartfelt apology to everyone whose sentiments have been disregarded.”
It is to be noted that the video - titled Automatic Gaadi - has over 12 million views on YouTube.
Writer Ashish Nautiyal shared a snippet from the video where a character played by Bhuvan is seen to be asking for an automatic car model for a shoot. As he calls a 'dealer' to ask for a model, the conversation uses double entrende to imply that the 'dealer' is someone who traffics women.
One particular line in the video also has Bhuvan's character asking his friend "pahadan chalegi (will a model from hilly regions do)?"
This particular objectification has evoked a lot of criticism with netizens expressing their anger and disappointment over the video.
"This is not humour - it’s vulgar misogynistic trash that objectifies women and in particular pahaadi women,” wrote author and screenwriter Advaita Kala on Wednesday.
Notably, Bhuvan achieved the fame as a YouTube personality with his famous channel BB ki Vines. He has also appeared in web series TVF Bachelors, Titu Talks, and Dhindora, as well as in the short film Plus Minus.