Celebrity vlogger Sambhavna Seth, known for her stint in Bigg Boss 2 and her roles in Bhojpuri films, has recently come under fire for remarks made in a latest vlog posted on her YouTube channel, Sambhavna Seth Entertainment.
In the controversial video, Sambhavna, who posts videos with her husband Avinash Dwivedi regularly on happenings from their household and their life, sought suggestions from their subscribers regarding the dismissal of their domestic worker, who had taken leave without prior notice.
In another video they rant about how their “help” doesn”t have much to do except for cooking, cleaning and taking care of their 4 dogs 24*7.
“We pay her a salary good enough for two domestic workers,” she is heard saying.
The couple”s discussion on the matter, where they aired grievances about their housemaid”s absence, has sparked outrage online.
Critics have lambasted the duo for their entitled attitude towards their domestic help, with some highlighting the caste dynamics at play.
Nikita Sonavane, a lawyer and Dalit-feminist visiting fellow at the University of Oxford, condemned the couple”s behavior, labeling it as “Savarna entitlement to caste-based labor.”
“This Brahmin-Bania husband and wife vlogger duo have made a video asking their subscribers to “suggest” whether they should fire their domestic worker who extended her leave without intimation. Savarna entitlement to cast- based labour knows no bounds,” Ms Sonavane wrote.
This Brahmin-Bania husband and wife vlogger duo have made a video asking their subscribers to “suggest”whether they should fire their domestic worker who extended her leave without intimation.
Savarna entitlement to caste based labour knows no bounds.
— Nikita Sonavane (@glorious_gluten) April 19, 2024
Journalist Deepansh Duggal expressed his dismay at the vlog, challenging the couple to experience life without household assistance in countries like Europe or the US. He criticized their public shaming of the housemaid for momentarily disconnecting her phone, emphasizing that household chores should not be belittled.
I was about to post about this. It is infuriating to watch their vlogs. I challenge these people to survive a day in Europe/US with no house help.
They should be ashamed for posting a public vlog berating their house help, naming and shaming her just because she switched off… https://t.co/393l857Q08
— Deepansh Duggal (@Deepansh75) April 19, 2024
Sambhavna, who has garnered a significant following on YouTube for her daily life vlogs with Avinash, has found herself in the midst of controversy due to the insensitive portrayal of her interactions with household staff.