Social media influencer Diya Krishna has faced online criticism after reportedly commenting “sad reality” on an Instagram video posted by vlogger Amrit Singh Darren. The video, which discussed an artwork at a café in Fort Kochi before moving on to remarks about Muslims, beef consumption and communal tensions in Kerala, sparked widespread debate.
Diya later apologised and clarified that she had not watched the entire video before commenting. Her sister, actor Ahaana Krishna, also addressed the controversy, stressing that family members can hold different opinions and should not automatically be held responsible for one another’s statements.
Here are six key things to know about the controversy, Diya’s response and the reported police investigation.
1. How Did the Diya Krishna Controversy Begin?
The controversy began after content creator Amrit Singh Darren shared an Instagram video on October 22 following a visit to Kashi Art Café in Fort Kochi.
In the video, Darren questioned an artwork depicting Mahatma Gandhi and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. He also criticised the café for serving beef.
The video subsequently drew attention for remarks that went beyond the artwork and menu, touching on Muslims in Kerala and alleged religious and political developments in the state.
2. What Did Amrit Singh Darren Say?
Darren’s video reportedly included allegations about foreign funding and the growth of radical Islam in Kerala. His comments prompted criticism from people who argued that the video risked encouraging communal division.
According to reports, police registered a case against Darren under Sections 353(2) and 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The legal provisions concern promoting enmity between different groups on grounds including religion and making statements conducive to public mischief, respectively. The precise allegations and their application should be assessed against the registered case and official police statements.
3. Why Was Diya Krishna Criticised?
Diya Krishna became part of the online debate after reportedly commenting “sad reality” on Darren’s video.
Some social media users interpreted the comment as support for the video’s wider claims, including its remarks about a religious community. The response triggered criticism and calls for Diya to clarify her position.
The influencer subsequently explained that she had responded without watching the full video. She said her comment was not intended as an endorsement of the remarks that had caused controversy.
4. What Did Diya Krishna Say in Her Apology?
Diya acknowledged that commenting before watching the entire video was a mistake. She clarified that she disagreed with the remarks targeting a community and questioning beef consumption in Kerala.
She also apologised to people who had been hurt by her response, saying she had not intended to create hostility between communities.
Her clarification became a significant part of the discussion, as the controversy expanded from Darren’s original video to the reactions of people who had interacted with it.
5. What Did Ahaana Krishna Say About the Controversy?
Actor Ahaana Krishna also addressed the issue alongside her sister Diya. Their joint statement emphasised that members of the same family can have different opinions and individual perspectives.
Ahaana stressed that one person should not automatically be held accountable for another family member’s comments or actions. At the same time, the statement highlighted the family’s intention to continue supporting one another.
The remarks came amid heightened online scrutiny of the Krishna family, with the controversy drawing attention beyond the original video and Diya’s comment.
6. Could Diya Krishna Face Legal Action?
According to a report by The Hindu, police were considering whether to issue Diya a notice as part of their investigation. Investigators were reportedly examining the nature of her interaction with the video, including whether she merely reacted to it or actively shared or promoted its contents.
A notice being considered does not establish that a person has committed an offence. Any legal responsibility would depend on the evidence, the applicable law and the findings of the investigation.
Reports also indicated that investigators were pursuing digital evidence and seeking details about Darren. The status of these steps should be confirmed through the latest police statements or reliable reporting before publication.
Meanwhile, Diya and Ahaana’s father, Malayalam actor and BJP-associated politician Krishna Kumar, had not publicly responded to the controversy at the time of the reports cited here.
As the issue develops, the distinction between an online reaction, an endorsement of a video’s claims and any legally actionable conduct remains important. Further developments will depend on the findings of the police investigation and any subsequent official statements.
