Mumbai, February 24, 2025: In response to an order issued by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, two well-known YouTubers-Ranveer Allahbadia and Ashish Chanchlani-reported to the Cyber Cell headquarters, Navi Mumbai, on Monday to give their statements. The controversy erupted because of some comments made during an episode of the YouTube show ‘India’s Got Latent.’
Background of the Controversy
Last week, the trouble started. Ranveer Allahbadia, known as BeerBiceps, made a lewd remark last week on comedian Samay Rain’s YouTube show ‘India’s Got Latent,’ from which most people regarded the comment as vulgar, resulting in outrage by the public and numerous First Information Reports being lodged against Allahbadia, Raina, and some of the other participants, namely Ashish Chanchlani and Apoorva Mukhija.
The National Commission for Women took cognizance of the matter and summoned all the parties to give their statements.
Legal Proceedings and Summons
Following the storm, the Maharashtra Cyber Cell launched an inquiry into the alleged promotion of obscenity via a publicly accessible platform. Allahbadia and Chanchlani approached Cyber Cell officials to express their willingness to cooperate and record statements. An official from the Cyber Cell stated, “Ashish Chanchlani and Ranveer Allahbadia contacted the Maharashtra Cyber Cell officials. Both told the officials that they wanted to record their statements.”
Not only have the Cyber Cell initiated actions, but the NCW also initially summoned the involved parties to appear by February 17. Since those persons did not appear in person at that time, the commission has since set new hearing dates, ordering Allahbadia and Mukhija to appear before the NCW on March 6, while Raina must do the same on March 11.
The Supreme Court’s Intervention
The controversy went all the way to the Supreme Court-like, really, that is some penetrating truth, with Allahbadia seeking to prevent arrest and get all FIRs against him clubbed together. On February 18, the Court granted him interim protection, but it ripped Jahil Singh apart with its decision.
Justice Surya Kant stated, “There is something that is dirty in his mind that has been vomited by way of this program.” It directed Allahbadia to within the course of these proceedings immediately surrender all his passports and informed him that he could leave the country only with its permission.
Public and Political Reactions
The incident has reignited debates on the very limits of content creation and freedom of expression in India. Several public figures and politicians have weighed in, some demanding stringent regulations for digital content. Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi went on to say, “If this is the case, then these content creators should please go ahead and self-regulate, or they will only force the government to intervene.”
To this, Boney Kapoor concurred, saying some amount of self-censorship is warranted: “A line should be drawn, and self-censorship should be there. Just because one has freedom of speech does not mean one speaks those things which are tabooed by society.”
Removals and Apologies
In the wake of the controversy, Samay Raina removed ‘India’s Got Latent’ from his YouTube channel and stated that he would fully cooperate with investigating agencies. Allahbadia had reacted with a public apology, accepting that he had erred, saying: “I should have not said what I said.” The Legal Proceedings and Public Discourse Continues.
Repercussions for Digital Content Creators
Digital content creators are now worried about the increased censorship that this will bring and clearer guidelines that will be needed about online content. Even though platforms like Youtube give these creators immense freedom, this current instance highlights the responsibility that comes along with that freedom, and the possible legal repercussions stemming from content that some found offensive or obscene.
