(Image source from: EOnline)

After mocking about the tensions prevailing between India and Pakistan, comedian and host of American TV show ‘The Daily Show,’ Trevor Noah, has apologized after receiving criticism.

In an episode of The Daily Show, Noah said if the two countries go to war, then it would be the “most entertaining war of all time” and that “it would also be the longest war of all time - another dance number!” Noah suggested that Indian soldiers going to war would be like a musical.

Consequently, Noah received backlash on social media, with people calling his comments insensitive and offensive.

One Twitter user on Saturday said it was “sad when someone who’s had a violent past mocks war through a Bollywood stereotype”. “Trevor Noah’s mother was shot in the head by her husband (Trevor’s stepfather),” the user tweeted. “Imagine someone making fun of it with a Xhosa stereotype - the tribe his mum belongs to.”

In a tweet late on Saturday night, Noah said he did make jokes about his mother being shot in the head and that comedy helps process pain and discomfort. “...but I am sorry that this hurt you and other, that’s not what I was trying to do,” he said.

Actually if you watch my stand up you'll see that I did make jokes after my mother was shot in the head. As a comedian I use comedy to process pain and discomfort in my world but I am sorry that this hurt you and others, that's not what I was trying to do. https://t.co/OuVnkHyIfG

— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) March 2, 2019

In another tweet, Noah said it was “amazing” how his joke about the conflict between the two countries trended more than the story of the conflict itself. “Sometimes it seems like people are more offended by the jokes comedians make about an issue than the issue itself,” he said.

It's amazing to me that my joke about the conflict in India and Pakistan trended more than the story of the actual conflict itself. Sometimes it seems like people are more offended by the jokes comedians make about an issue than the issue itself.

— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) March 2, 2019

Bollywood Actress Swara Bhasker too had criticized Noah for his comments on the episode. “It was lazy [and] patronising [and] reeking of first world arrogance [and] colonial stereotypes,” she tweeted on Sunday.

Trevor, as an admirer of ur work pls let me say.. the problem was not the topic of ur joke but what u chose to say. It was lazy & patronising & reeking Of first world arrogance & colonial stereotypes.. Disappointing in a person as aware as u @Trevornoah @ComedyCentral https://t.co/9hCui11YeX

— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) March 3, 2019

Another user said the comments were “racist”, “stereotypical” and “downright offensive”. Some users criticized him for not taking the situation between India and Pakistan seriously.

It's amazing to me that my joke about the conflict in India and Pakistan trended more than the story of the actual conflict itself. Sometimes it seems like people are more offended by the jokes comedians make about an issue than the issue itself.

— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) March 2, 2019

With people dying and families losing their loved ones and amid all the tensions, it would be just right to imagine our soldiers singing and dancing on the battlefield. It would just be perfect! Isn't it? @Trevornoah And the irony, you not truly sorry either. #Shameless

— Prem Madhavani (@PMadhavani) March 4, 2019

Mate, your racist joke was criticised by a small section of people on social media. Don’t be under the impression that it mattered more than the conflict itself. Most people don’t even know you here. People have lost lives.

— Siddharth Singh (@siddharth3) March 3, 2019

How tremendously disappointing, @Trevornoah. War is NOT a form of entertainment. You spend 80% of your time criticizing Trump and the violence he could be stirring, but the possibility of India and Pakistan engaging in actual war is a filmy song and dance to you? https://t.co/dlR0gdvHQU

— Riddhi Chakraborty (@thisisridz) February 28, 2019

-Sowmya Sangam