Popular comedians Madan Krishna Shrestha and Haribansha Acharya, known as "Maha Jodi," have strongly denied allegations circulating on social media that accuse them of misusing U.S. Development Assistance (USAID) funds to promote anti-religious agendas. In a video statement released on Thursday, they dismissed the claims as "baseless" and urged the public to reject misinformation.
The controversy arose after former U.S. President Donald Trump alleged in an interview that USAID funds had been used in countries like Nepal to spread atheism. Social media users linked Maha Jodi’s organization, Maha Sanchar, to these remarks, fueling speculation and criticism.
In their response, Shrestha and Acharya clarified that USAID-supported projects under their involvement were solely focused on public health and social awareness. They highlighted telefilms addressing issues such as leprosy, gynecology, polio vaccination, and general public health, all of which are publicly documented. Shrestha emphasized that these initiatives were aimed at serving communities, not promoting any ideological agendas.
Acharya further explained that their satirical works, including the widely recognized Panchayat Bebasta Ko Saradhe (2052 BS), have always critiqued systems rather than religions. He addressed concerns regarding past sketches, stating that satire targeting social figures should not be misconstrued as an attack on faiths like Hinduism or Buddhism.
They reassured the public that their content remains freely accessible on YouTube for scrutiny. Inviting viewers to verify the material for themselves, Acharya reiterated that there was no content advocating atheism or religious conversion. He emphasized that their work has consistently aimed to unite people through humor and social messages rather than divide them.
Despite the controversy, Maha Jodi remains steadfast in their commitment to social service. They vowed to continue their efforts and urged people to see through misinformation. "We won’t be deterred by lies. Our mission remains serving society," Acharya asserted, calling on the public to disregard unfounded accusations.
Their rebuttal has sparked widespread discussion, with supporters rallying online to share clips of their past projects that highlight their contributions to public welfare. Authorities have yet to issue any official statements on the allegations.
Note: This news piece is based on statements from Maha Jodi and publicly available information.
