New Delhi, Feb 13: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued a notice to YouTuber Elvish Yadav over alleged derogatory and racist remarks made against former Miss Arunachal and Bigg Boss contestant Chum Darang.
The commission has summoned Yadav for a hearing on February 17, at 12:00 pm.
The development comes after the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW) strongly condemned Yadav’s remarks, terming them disrespectful and offensive to the women of Northeast India.
APSCW Chairperson Kenjum Pakam had urged the NCW to take suo motu cognizance of the incident and ensure appropriate action against the YouTuber.
The controversy erupted after a clip from a podcast featuring Elvish Yadav and Bigg Boss 18 contestant Rajat Dalal surfaced online. In the video, Yadav allegedly mocked Darang’s name and questioned her presence in the film Gangubai Kathiawadi, implying that only someone with poor taste would appreciate her role. He reportedly made racially insensitive remarks, referring to Darang using derogatory language.
The viral clip triggered widespread outrage on social media, with several activists, celebrities, and netizens calling out the remarks as racial discrimination against people from Northeast India.
Responding to the controversy, Chum Darang took to Instagram, condemning the remarks and calling for greater sensitivity towards Northeast Indian identities.
"Disrespecting someone's identity & name is not 'fun'. Mocking someone's achievements is not 'banter'. It's time we draw the line between humour and hate," she wrote.
Darang further emphasized the importance of raising voices against racism and promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity in the entertainment industry.
Following the backlash, the NCW took suo motu cognizance and issued a notice to Elvish Yadav on February 11, 2025. The commission, in its letter signed by under-secretary Shalini Rastogi, stated that the matter had been taken seriously, and that Yadav must appear in person before the panel on February 17.
The commission also warned that failure to comply with the summons may result in further action as deemed necessary.
