The ₹370 controversy didn't reveal a new mindset—it revealed how common it still is. What do I think?

The ₹370 controversy has been on my mind, and honestly, I don't think the mindset behind that comment is anything new.

The fact that so many people in the audience laughed immediately is proof that this way of thinking has existed for a long time. The idea that spending money on a woman somehow creates an obligation isn't some new internet phenomenon—it's something that has been reflected in society, popular culture, and even literature for decades.

What's changed isn't the existence of these attitudes. What's changed is that women are no longer staying silent about them.

I'll be honest: when I first heard that the guy reportedly lost his job, a part of me thought, "Yaar, galat bola hai, but should someone lose their job over something they said in the heat of the moment?" I still think that's a complicated discussion worth having.

But at the same time, I think the reason the backlash was so strong is because many women are tired of hearing these ideas dismissed as jokes, harmless comments, or "boys being boys." We've seen similar conversations play out in controversies involving creators like Rebel Kid and many others, where women speaking up were often told they were overreacting.

For me, the most important takeaway isn't the comedian, the audience member, or even the punishment. It's the fact that women today feel empowered enough to publicly say, "No, this isn't okay," instead of quietly accepting it.

Whether you agree with the backlash or not, I think that's a positive change.

What do you think—has society actually changed, or have people just become more willing to call these attitudes out?