Legally, the speakers are protected. But unpopular or politically incorrect opinions can draw backlash similar to the Vir Das controversy. Even literary greats like J K Rowling, Dr. Seuss and Roald Dahl weren't entirely immune. True. Exposure changes our thinking.
Agree. It was not funny. ======== Though what I did find funny was Chetan Bhagat tried to support Vir Das and ended up in trouble himself. Chetan Bhagat reacts to Vir Das' 'Two Indias', says 'I won’t go criticising about my mother in neighbour's house'; gets trolled