Comedian Samay Raina has landed in fresh controversy after an exchange from the latest episode of India’s Got Latent, released on Friday, sparked criticism online. A remark involving Kashmiri Pandits made during an interaction between Raina and stand-up comedian Sharon Verma has become the focus of the backlash, with viewers also questioning Raina's reaction to it.

The controversy has now drawn political attention, with BJP MLA Ram Kadam criticising the alleged remarks and accusing those who make controversial statements of using outrage as a means to gain publicity.

"There are certain forces in society that deliberately make controversial statements simply to gain publicity. Their sole objective is to become famous. We need to understand that the deities of Sanatan Hinduism and Kashmiri Pandits cannot be treated as subjects of ridicule."

ALSO READ: Sunil Pal questions Samay Raina’s felicitation, fans accuse him of ‘jealousy’ | WATCH

Kadam further said that an apology after making an offensive remark does not erase the publicity generated by the controversy.

"Someone cannot deliberately do something offensive and then simply apologize afterwards. In the meantime, they get the publicity they wanted across the country for free," he added.

The episode featured actress and television personality Archana Puran Singh alongside social media personality Orhan Awatramani, popularly known as Orry.

Fresh controversy after India’s Got Latent's troubled first season

The backlash comes months after India’s Got Latent found itself at the centre of a major controversy during its first season.

The show had earlier faced FIRs over references involving alleged abusive and vulgar language. The controversy eventually reached the Supreme Court, following which the show was taken off air. Several influencers who appeared on the panel later issued apologies.

ALSO READ: India’s Got Latent row ends: SC quashes FIRs against Samay Raina, Ranveer Allahbadia

Raina returned with a fresh season of India’s Got Latent this year, with the show streaming on YouTube and Netflix. 

However, the latest controversy has once again put the spotlight on the show's brand of comedy and the fine line between humour, provocation and offence.

Archana Puran Singh's comeback also grabs attention

Away from the controversy surrounding the alleged Kashmiri Pandit remark, another exchange from the episode between Raina and Archana Puran Singh caught viewers' attention.

During the episode, contestant AR Tiwari performed Bhojpuri shayari. When asked what else he did apart from performing shayari, Tiwari said that he danced, vlogged and rapped.

Raina picked up on the reference to vlogging and directed a joke at Archana, who is known for sharing family-oriented vlogs online.

He told the contestant, "Did you say vlog? Vlogging doesn't need talent".

Archana responded with a quick retort: "gaaliyan dena talent hai (abusing is talent)."

ALSO READ: Supreme Court pulls up Samay Raina over disability remarks, fines influencers Rs 3 lakhs each

Her response prompted cheers from the audience, while Raina did not immediately respond to the comeback.

The latest episode shows ‘India’s Got Latent’ continuing to generate discussion beyond the performances on stage. While clips from the show regularly dominate social media conversations, the renewed criticism also places Raina under scrutiny once again, months after the controversy surrounding the show's first season.