Medical Student's Cadaver Comments Spark Controversy, Comedian Criticized

The controversy around MBBS student Sejal Pawar and comedian Pranit More's crowd-work show doesn't seem to be dying down anytime soon. What started as a viral clip from a comedy show has now sparked conversations across medical circles, social media and even student organisations. And now, the president of the All India Medical Students' Association (AIMSA) has publicly weighed in on the matter. Sejal Pawar, a medical student at Mumbai's KEM Hospital, found herself at the centre of a backlash after a video from Pranit More's show surfaced online. In the clip, she was seen making comments about male cadavers while talking about her experiences in medical college. Many people, including doctors and medical students, felt the remarks crossed a line and showed a lack of respect towards body donors. As criticism grew, KEM Hospital placed Pawar on 15 days of compulsory leave and launched an internal inquiry. Speaking to ANI, AIMSA president Jitendra Singh said the issue was serious because cadavers hold a special place in medical education.

"First, regarding Sejal Pawar, I must clarify that a donated dead body is referred to as a 'cadaver.' A cadaver is a body donated by the family after death for medical study or research. Every medical student takes a 'cadaver oath' during their studies. In this oath, the student pledges to treat the body with respect, a sense of duty, and ethical consideration," Singh said. He pointed out that as an MBBS student, Pawar would already be aware of these values. "Therefore, the remarks she made about the dead body - a body that is revered and god-like - are highly condemnable," he added. But Singh didn't stop there. He also directed sharp criticism at comedian Pranit More, whose crowd-work shows have recently generated multiple controversies online. "As for Pranit More, people like him are a curse on society. In the name of comedy, chasing TRPs, and garnering views, they target our sisters and daughters, our religion, and specific individuals," Singh said. He further argued that there should be clearer guidelines on what is acceptable in the name of comedy. "Our primary demand to the Government of India is to define the parameters of comedy - to establish what kind of comedy is acceptable," he added.

The controversy traces back to clips from More's show that spread rapidly across social media. In one video, Pawar's comments about male cadavers triggered outrage. Critics argued that body donors and their families deserve dignity and respect, especially given the role cadavers play in training future doctors. Following the backlash, KEM Hospital set up a five-member inquiry committee to examine the matter. The institution has also said that Pawar will undergo counselling in the presence of her parents or guardians before any further action is decided. The committee is expected to submit its report within the coming days.

Interestingly, this isn't the only controversy linked to the same show. Another viral clip featured audience member Himanshu Jangra making what became known online as the "₹370 biryani" remark. During the interaction, he suggested that because he had spent money on a date, he expected something in return. The comments sparked widespread criticism, with many social media users calling them misogynistic and deeply troubling. The fallout was swift. Jangra later apologised and was eventually fired from his job at Gurugram-based Starvik Design. Company founder Vivek Vishwakarma publicly announced the decision after the controversy gained traction online.

With both incidents emerging from the same crowd-work format, questions are now being raised not just about the individuals involved but also about the kind of conversations being encouraged on such platforms. As the debate continues, discussions around ethics, consent, accountability and the limits of comedy show no signs of slowing down.