In a sharp exchange blending politics and comedy, Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee took a dig at comedian Vir Das’s response to his parliamentary mention of the ‘Two Indias’ monologue. Banerjee highlighted what he sees as the irony in how the same concept sparks scrutiny in one India and becomes prime PR material in another.
Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Banerjee wrote, ‘Ah, the beauty of Two Indias—one where a comedian is questioned for talking about the Two Indias divide, and the other where the same debate becomes perfect PR for a tour announcement. Democracy has a sense of humor. Wishing your shows are housefull and have a rocking tour ahead.’
This came after Vir Das expressed surprise when Banerjee referenced his 2021 Kennedy Center performance during a debate on the 2026-27 Union Budget. Banerjee had described Das’s routine not as humor but as a ‘warning’ and ‘prophecy,’ holding a mirror to India’s contradictions. ‘Sir, in November 2021, thousands of miles away on the Kennedy Center stage, young Indian stand-up comic Vir Das spoke of two Indias. Many laughed, some got angry. Few paused to listen carefully, but what he said wasn’t comedy—it was a warning, a prophecy, a mirror held before a nation teetering on its own contradictions. I too come from two Indias,’ Banerjee stated in Parliament.
Vir Das reacted with a video, feigning shock: ‘Parliament? Really? Oh man! This is happening in Parliament?’ He quipped about the anger from his original show, asking, ‘Some people got angry? Who? On the floor of Parliament?’ Seizing the moment, Das announced his ‘Hey Stranger: A Tour of the World,’ saying, ‘Friends, I’m leaving the country. Heading on a world tour, and this seems like the perfect time to announce it.’
Banerjee’s retort underscores the polarized reactions to Das’s commentary, framing it as a tale of two Indias—one critical, one opportunistic. As Das embarks on his global tour, the episode spotlights how comedy intersects with political discourse in India’s vibrant democracy.