June 23rd 2024.
Nish Kumar, a political comedian, recently shared his thoughts on online trolls, his hopes for the upcoming elections, and his support for Palestine. When the UK government announced a July election, Kumar's plans for a quiet summer were shattered and he got back to work once again. As the host of BBC's controversial comedy series, The Mash Report, Kumar gained recognition for his satirical commentary on the Conservative government, his sharp analysis after the 2017 election, and his navigation through the stormy 2019 election which saw Theresa May defeat Jeremy Corbyn.
Being a vocal left-wing British Indian comedian, Kumar has often become the target of hateful right-wing trolls online. However, the trolling during the 2019 election period was especially severe, to the point where he had to involve the police. This experience has fundamentally changed his relationship with social media, and he has had to take professional measures to protect himself. He hopes to eventually distance himself entirely from these platforms.
Kumar became even more widely known through The Mash Report, but with this fame came an influx of hate and negativity. He describes social media as a "sewer" and believes it has only gotten worse since Elon Musk took over Twitter. To cope with this constant barrage of criticism, Kumar has even started seeing a therapist.
The comedian also spoke out against "professional trolls" who make a business out of sparking outrage. He believes it is futile to engage with these individuals and prefers to ignore them. However, this anger and hatred have also spilled into the real world. Kumar once had an audience member unplug his microphone and has also faced physical attacks during a charity gig in 2019.
Despite the backlash, Kumar remains determined to continue his work. He has been vocal about his disapproval of the Conservative government's handling of various issues such as the cost of living crisis, climate change, and their involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict. As the party falls behind in the polls, Kumar feels an urgent need for change and hopes for a different administration, even if it means sacrificing his career.
Kumar's comedy has always delved into the world of politics, even tackling controversial topics such as Brexit and humanity's self-destruction. He believes that although his whole persona revolves around criticizing a failing state, it is worth it if it brings about positive change.
Apart from his stand-up shows, Kumar is also known for his political podcast and his work on Sky's Hold the Front Page with Josh Widdicombe, where they explore local journalism. He is currently using his platform to advocate for solidarity with Palestine, and he believes more needs to be done by his fellow comedians in this regard.
Kumar's upcoming tour, Nish, Don't Kill My Vibe, will cover a wide range of topics, including climate change, income inequality, and his experiences as a British Indian man. Despite the heavy subject matter, Kumar hopes to bring some humor to these issues and make people laugh. He admits that his routine may not follow a particular theme, but for him, stand-up is a way to process and express his thoughts and feelings. He acknowledges that his shows may not always be fun and has even faced criticism for his work, but he remains determined to make a positive impact through his comedy.
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