KATHMANDU, Feb 18: Police are working to mediate between the parties involved in the controversy over the mockery of Newari singer Kuma Sagar by three comedians on a widely viewed YouTube podcast.
The podcast, hosted by Sushant Pradhan and uploaded last week, sparked outrage among the Newar community after guests Sajan Shrestha, Utsav Sapkota and Sujan Zimba, along with host Pradhan, ridiculed Sagar’s Newari accent in his songs.
Content creator Sajan Shrestha in particular mimicked the singer’s accent while performing one of his songs, while comedian Sapkota made inappropriate remarks about the unintended meaning of a phrase when sung in a thick Newari accent.
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Following the backlash, Shrestha released an apology video on YouTube on Monday, claiming he had no intention of mocking the Newari accent. The YouTube host Pradhan has also taken the video off air.
However, the Newar community rejected his apology and demanded police action against the comedians. On Monday and Tuesday, a group of activists belonging to the Newar community visited the Kathmandu Police Range to seek action against the comedians.
SP Apil Raj Bohara, spokesperson for Kathmandu Police Range, told Republica that no formal complaint has been lodged against the comedians for their remarks. “There has been no official complaint, only an application requesting action,” he said. “As a result, we have decided not to register a case against them.”
SP Bohora added that police are now working to reconcile both sides.
