Humourless Nation
“How safe is it to be a satirist in India today?” Put that question to any AI platform and you’ll get shocking results. See what I got. India has recently cracked down on social media satire criticising Prime Minister Modi. In 2026, the government has used Section 69A of the Information Technology Act to block online satire, memes, and political commentary targeting Prime Minister, with individuals facing legal action, online harassment, and even threats to their lives for making jokes about him. Posting such content could carry significant risks for you. Shakespeare’s iconic Fool in King Lear says that truth is like a stray dog beaten and chased away while dishonest flatterers sit comfortably close to power. People in power tend to like flatterers and hate those who reveal truths, particularly inconvenient ones. Not all, however. Wise rulers in Shakespeare tolerate jesters and weak rulers fear them. Tyrants demand reverence. Comics become dangerous only when the ruler is insecu...
