Stand-up comic Daniel Fernandes explains jokes from his act on Kashmir terror attack after receiving legal notice

Daniel Fernandez

In May, stand-up comedian Daniel Fernandes released a stand-up act titled 'The Kashmir Terror Attack'. The 23-minute set featured Fernandes sharing his observations on the Pahalgam terror incident and the events that followed - from news channels peddling fake narratives to citizens demanding war and the prevailing social media discourse. Fernandes presented his views on the situation in the form of thoughtful satire. However, he has now received a legal notice from lawyers associated with the Supreme Court.

Daniel Fernandez receives legal notice

On Wednesday, Daniel took to his social media platforms to share the update, posting screenshots of the legal notice. The notice pointed out specific jokes in his set that the lawyers found objectionable. It also requested that he take down the video from his YouTube channel by June 3. The lawyers objected to both his stand-up video and an X (formerly Twitter) post dated April 14, 2025, stating, "These mock cultural values and trivialize the Pahalgam terror attack, causing widespread hurt."

Sharing the screengrabs, Daniel wrote in the caption of his post:

"Last week, I received a notice from two Supreme Court lawyers asking me to take down my recent stand-up video on the Kashmir terror attack (and another unrelated clip).

They highlighted the bits they found offensive and gave me until June 3 to take the video down, or else face legal action.

I have shared screengrabs of the notice and my response for your perusal.

The growing trend of stifling voices - whether it's the treatment of students in America who speak up for Palestine, or the vandalizing of comedy clubs in India, and now notices like these - for simply speaking truth to power, should worry us all.

Among other things, stand-up comedy has always been a voice of reason, especially during times of absolute insanity (and it doesn't get crazier than the times we're living in). Laughter wields a certain kind of power that nobody can really control. That might make certain groups uneasy, but that's not why I do what I do.

My intention with my material is never to change your point of view about anything. I simply enjoy talking about things that make us uncomfortable and maybe offer a new perspective. I am not important - politicians and the citizens they serve are.

If we have, in recent times, allowed discourse rooted in the language of violence to run free, it's only fair to ask for language rooted in laughter to coexist peacefully.

I have decided to take a humble stand for the art form I love so deeply, and I hope that someday more comedians will feel confident enough to talk about things that matter - freely, and without the fear of threats and intimidation.

Should this matter escalate further, I hope you will stand by my side - loudly."

Daniel explains jokes

Daniel shared the screenshots of his response to the lawyer. He explained the jokes to which the lawyers objected.

In conclusion, she wrote, "Each of the statements cited in your notice falls within the scope of satire and social commentary. While I understand that some viewers may take offense, the intent was never to incite hatred or disrespect the victims. On the contrary, the material aims to provoke thought, critique systems of power, and highlight societal contradictions - all of which are legitimate and constitutionally protected forms of expression."

"Keeping this in mind, I would like to politely decline your request to delete these clips, as I firmly believe that art - no matter how provocative - should be allowed to exist. We must call upon each other to display maturity and discretion in our personal choices regarding the viewing of such art," he added.