In a significant turn of events, the Supreme Court of India held a hearing on controversial comments made by YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia during an episode of the YouTube show ‘India’s Got Latent’. The episode aired Allahbadia, who from the show hosted the respective episode, posing an unsettling question before a contestant that could only elicit public outrage and hence prompt multiple legal challenges.
Court Hearings and Legal Representation
Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud, representing Ranveer Allahbadia, raised a voice against the comments, defending freedom of expression. “I am appalled with the comments; however, and imperatively, the constitutional right of free speech must be afforded even when the speech is disgusting. They are distasteful remarks; they do not amount to a crime under existing laws,” he said.
Background of the Frenzy
The controversy began when Allahbadia posed a provocative question to a contestant during the show, one he felt was inappropriate and revolting. Following this episode, political leaders, lawyers, and the general public rendered their opinions against it. Shiv Sena leader Raju Waghmare decried the comments saying, “Such insults to our mothers and sisters cannot stand. Freedom of speech should not be misused in this manner.” He added that he would consider legal action to have the show stopped if such instances continued.
Charges and Summons
Due to public pressure, several legal actions were instituted against Allahbadia and others on the show. With the Cyber Police of Delhi, advocate Vineet Jindal filed a complaint against the creators of the content for allegedly transmitting obscene and vulgar content that was disrespectful to family relationships. The complaint called for the show to be banned and for those involved to face legal action.
Following suit, the National Commission for Women also took cognizance of this issue and has summoned Allahbadia and the other content creators for a hearing dated February 17. NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar stated that the comments have been made in violation of dignity and respect, especially in a society advocating equality and mutual respect. The intervention of the NCW underscores the seriousness with which such acts are taken when it comes to content that reaches a wide range of audiences.
The NHRC Steps In
Strengthening the position, National Human Rights Commission member Priyank Kanoongo wrote to YouTube’s Head of Public Policy Mira Chatt asking that the controversial video be taken down. The letter noted an apparent contravention of provisions of various laws, including the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The NHRC’s involvement raises serious questions about the human rights implications of allowing this kind of content to exist on widely used informational channels.
Political Fallout and Other Moves
The incident has spilled over into the political arena, with Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi declaring her intention to table the matter before Parliament’s Standing Committee on Information Technology. Chaturvedi further stated that while freedom of expression is a given under the Constitution, it confers both rights and responsibilities and that there should be limits beyond which this expression must not be permitted to infringe. This stance about the dissemination of content over digital platforms mirrors a growing concern among policymakers about the implications of such content for social norms and values.
The Stand from Allahbadia
With the background of the continuing criticism and several complaints, Ranveer Allahbadia appeared with a public apology wherein he professed that his remarks were improper and unsuitable; he regretted any lapse of judgment and assured to his audience such a thing would not transpire in the future with his content.
