Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW) has strongly condemned the “derogatory and racist” comments made by social media influencer Elvish Yadav about former Miss Arunachal and Bigg Boss contestant Chum Darang.
In a letter addressed to the National Commission for Women chairperson on Monday, APSCW Chairperson Kenjum Pakam described Yadav’s remarks as not only an insult to Darang but also to women from Northeast India.
The comments were made during a podcast with Bigg Boss 18 contestant Rajat Dalal, where Yadav mocked Darang and fellow contestant Karan Veer Mehra, saying, “Karan Veer must have had Covid, otherwise who would like Chum? Who has such bad taste? And there is vulgarity in the name of Chum.
Her name is Chum, and she worked in Gangubai Kathiawadi.”
Responding to the backlash, Rajat Dalal claimed the remarks were scripted and that Elvish had been instructed to make them.
He defended Yadav, saying, “Elvish didn’t say those things on his own. He received instructions in his ear and simply followed them.”
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Pakam emphasised that such behaviour and derogatory comments create a hostile environment for women from the Northeast pursuing careers in the entertainment industry.
“These discriminatory remarks contribute to the marginalisation of individuals from the region and hinder their professional aspirations,” she said.
The women’s panel called for strict legal action against Yadav, urging authorities to address the issue in accordance with the law.
Reaffirming its commitment to the dignity and rights of women, the commission also called for stronger measures to prevent racial and sexist discrimination against individuals from the Northeast in mainstream media and on public platforms.
