Gurugram man fired over his Rs 370 biryani story is at the centre of a new debate
The fallout from the viral "Rs 370 biryani" controversy is no longer limited to outrage over the comments themselves. After the audience member at the
The fallout from the viral "Rs 370 biryani" controversy is no longer limited to outrage over the comments themselves. After the audience member at the centre of the storm, Himanshu Jangra, was fired by his employer, social media has become a battleground over a different question: where should accountability end and punishment begin? Jangra went viral after recounting an incident involving a date during comedian Pranit More's crowd work. In the clip, Jangra suggested that because he had spent Rs 370 on a plate of biryani for a woman, he wanted to do ‘paisa vasool’ and expected something in return. Read Full Story The comment sparked widespread criticism online, with many viewers describing them as misogynistic and reflective of a troubling sense of entitlement towards women. The backlash intensified when Jangra's employer, Gurugram-based Starvik Design, announced that it had terminated his employment. The decision quickly shifted the conversation from the story to a broader question: should people lose their jobs over comments made outside the workplace? A large section of the internet agreed strongly.
People argued that the issue was not a joke gone wrong but a mindset that normalises coercion and transactional attitudes towards women. One user pointed to old social media posts allegedly linked to Jangra and wrote, "Anyone showing sympathy with that biryani guy who got fired, this is what his thinking is." Anyone showing sympathy with that Biryani guy who got fired, this is what his thinking is. This is what he used to post on his Instagram. R@pist and violence against women mentality at full display!! pic.twitter.com/eU6PPVtLIr— Tarun Gautam (@TARUNspeakss) June 9, 2026 This was NOT ONE remark This man was actually posting stuff about how he was preparing to beat up his future wife! I hope he is and everyone else laughing in that video never get partners ever... Devina Mehra (@devinamehra) June 10, 2026 As disgusting as this is to watch and hear, when people ask you what Rape culture looks like, just show them this! That this man thought he could say these things on camera, shows just how entitled and brazen he is and how he knew this would not only resonate with the men Nidhie Sharma (@IamNidhieSharma) June 9, 2026 However, some social media users argued that while the comments deserved criticism, termination was an excessive punishment.
One widely shared post read: "What he said was wrong. What he thinks is wrong. Being a woman, I wouldn't feel safe around this guy. But losing a job is a big thing." The user added that public backlash and an apology should have been sufficient consequences. A lot of people are commenting and DMing whether I'm supporting this. NOPE, what he said was wrong. What he thinks is wrong! Being a woman i wouldn't feel safe if I've to be around this guy! But losing a job is a big thing! He has received the hate, the backlash all over. He— Nisha Anandani (@AnandaniNisha) June 9, 2026 Others questioned whether professional penalties should be linked to personal views expressed publicly. "Apparently, the guy at the Pranit More comedy show has lost his job over the Rs 370 biryani joke. Did he deserve to get fired?" asked another user. This Rs 370 Biryani guy didn't force the woman, all he did was expect sexual favors in return, even the girl was fine.
The BriefWire