Indian comedy group AIB calls off all operations, sketches

Last year, Tanmay Bhatt and Gursimran Khambha, were asked to step down in light of sexual harassment allegations

Indian comedy collective All India Backchod (AIB), which has remained stagnant ever since two of its members were named in the #MeToo movement, issued a fresh statement on Wednesday, in regards to the troupe's future.

Last year, two main AIB members, Tanmay Bhatt and Gursimran Khambha, were asked to step down from their positions in light of sexual harassment allegations.

As a result of Bhatt and Khamba's alleged involvement in two separate cases of assault, the group lost most of its projects and had to put all operations on hold.

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"AIB YouTube channel is for all intents and purposes, dead for the foreseeable future - there will be no new sketches anytime soon. It sucks, but it is what it is. If and when we decide to release other content on the channel (for e.g. stand-up clips), you will be the first to know," read the statement.

Talking about the allegations and its inquiry, Khamba also shared his two cents on the matter. "Since the allegation surfaced, an informal committee was set up to look into it," he wrote in an Instagram post. "I had nothing to hide. I voluntarily chose to participate and began by extending all possible cooperation to this committee."

He added, "Despite my repeated requests to follow due process, these lapses continued. At this stage, I requested the committee to recuse itself and a fresh committee to be constituted. My request was denied and hence I was left with no choice but to withdraw from the enquiry. Till date, I maintain that I am happy to cooperate with any committee that is constituted fairly and follows principles of natural justice."

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In October, a woman claimed that Khama tried getting intimate with her “two-three times, consensually and continued being friends”. However, things got out of hand when on two separate occasions, he “repeatedly forced himself on me while we were hanging out”.

Denying her claims, the stand-up comedian said he was not forceful. “I am sorry for my bad behaviour and all the hurt it caused her but I categorically deny any violation of consent,” he said.

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