Mumbai Police Instagram Post on Rs 370 Biryani Incident Sparks Debate Over Consent Messaging and Tone

The post, published on the official Instagram account of Mumbai Police, stated: “Rs 370 gets you one plate of biryani. Our lock-up serves free meals with a longer stay. #BiryaniIsNotConsent.” The message directly referred to a viral controversy originating from a stand-up comedy show featuring comedian Pranit More.

The incident came into public focus after an audience member, Himanshu Jangra, described an experience during the show in which he took a woman on a date and spent Rs 370 on a plate of biryani. He further implied that the expenditure created an expectation of reciprocity, a remark that sparked widespread outrage online for promoting entitlement and misunderstanding the principle of consent.

Following the viral spread of the clip, the controversy expanded beyond the comedy stage. Himanshu Jangra faced significant online backlash and was subsequently terminated from his position at a Gurugram-based company.

Comedian Pranit More also came under criticism after he was seen laughing during the anecdote, awarding Jangra a cash prize, and later incorporating the interaction into content shared on social media platforms. He later issued an apology, though it was widely regarded as insufficient by sections of the online audience. His Instagram account has since been deactivated.

🔸It’s your choice

🔸निवड तुमची आहे!#BiryaniIsNotConsent pic.twitter.com/VtxXw7ehQt

— मुंबई पोलीस Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) June 10, 2026

Against this backdrop, Mumbai Police’s awareness post drew sharply contrasting reactions. Supporters of the post argued that it delivered a clear and impactful message, emphasising that financial expenditure does not create entitlement in matters of consent, and praised the use of a trending topic to communicate a social lesson in a concise format.

However, critics argued that a law enforcement agency should not adopt a humorous or viral tone when addressing sensitive issues such as consent. They contended that the framing of the message risked diminishing the seriousness of the subject and questioned the appropriateness of using social media trends in official communication.

The episode underscores the growing challenge faced by public institutions in navigating digital communication, where viral content spreads rapidly and messaging often competes with humour, outrage, and public sentiment.

As the Rs 370 biryani incident continues to circulate in public discourse, the Mumbai Police post has become a focal point in a broader debate on how consent-related messaging should be communicated in the age of social media virality.