India’s Got Latent Contestant Sakshi Jha Faces Backlash Over Remarks

A Bihar-based teacher and content creator faces intense public scrutiny following controversial comments about men and family during her audition.

NEW DELHI – Sakshi Jha, a contestant on Season 2 of the popular comedy show India’s Got Latent, has become the subject of widespread social media backlash after her audition went viral for its provocative and inflammatory remarks. During the show’s third episode, Jha introduced herself as a "man-hater," a theme she maintained throughout her performance, sparking a national debate over the boundaries of comedy and gender discourse.

Viral Audition Sparks Controversy

During her time on stage, Jha made several disparaging comments about men, claiming to dislike her own father, brother, and grandfather. Her routine included controversial statements about her aspirations, specifically remarking that she wanted to "beat her husband" after drinking. These comments were met with sharp disapproval from both the judging panel—comprising Samay Raina, Tanmay Bhat, Vishal Dadlani, Raghu Ram, and Yashraj Mehra—and the live studio audience.

The panel unanimously awarded Jha a score of zero, marking the first time in the current season that a contestant received a total rejection. While Jha characterized her set as "comedy," many viewers on social media platforms argued that her remarks constituted misandry and were inappropriate for a mainstream platform.

Unverified Reports of Suspension

Following the broadcast, unverified reports began circulating on social media and in some news outlets claiming that Jha had been suspended from her teaching position in Bihar due to the controversy. However, as of July 19, 2026, no official confirmation, formal statement, or notice of suspension has been issued by any government education department, school authorities, or official institution regarding her employment status.

Samay Raina’s Call for Kindness

As the online trolling of Jha intensified, show host and comedian Samay Raina intervened, urging the public to exercise restraint. In an Instagram message, Raina acknowledged that while the performance was polarizing, the resulting harassment had become excessive.

"I feel bad for her that you might bash her too much," Raina stated. He encouraged his audience to channel their energy into positive interactions, suggesting that men could use the situation to demonstrate "love" and show that "men are amazing people also" rather than engaging in aggressive insults.

Why It Matters

The incident has highlighted the ongoing tension between "shock-value" comedy and social responsibility. The controversy has prompted discussions regarding whether provocative acts should be provided a platform on popular digital shows and where the line between satire and hate speech is drawn.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Zero Score: Jha became the first contestant of the season to receive a unanimous zero from all five judges and the audience.

• Inflammatory Content: Her routine included derogatory remarks about her family and general statements about men that were labeled "misandrist" by critics.

• Employment Status: Reports of her suspension from a teaching job in Bihar remain unverified and lack official confirmation.

• Host's Intervention: Samay Raina publicly requested that the audience cease the intense trolling and show kindness toward the contestant.

FAQ

• Has Sakshi Jha been suspended from her job? There is no official confirmation of her suspension; reports to that effect currently remain unverified.

• Why did she get a zero score? The judges and audience rejected her act due to the offensive nature of her comments regarding men and family members.

• What was Samay Raina’s reaction? He criticized the excessive trolling and urged viewers to be kind, despite his own disapproval of the performance.

Source: The Economic Times, India Today/Indiatimes, NDTV Lifestyle