Ranveer Allahbadia’s remarks underscore growing concerns over declining entertainment standards and highlight the urgent need for stricter regulations
The recent uproar over content creator Ranveer Allahbadia’s controversial remark on comedian Samay Raina’s show, India’s Got Latent, has sparked widespread condemnation across political, social and cultural spectrums. The backlash began with netizens expressing outrage and quickly escalated into a national debate, drawing criticism from political leaders, women’s rights organisations and public figures, so much so that Shiv Sena MP Naresh Ganpat Mhaske even raised the matter in Parliament. Veteran artist Raza Murad and singer B Praak expressed their dismay at the decline in the quality of entertainment, questioning how obscenity could be passed off as humour.
Moreover, the joke in question had been lifted from a previous ‘Western’ online video, reinforcing concerns about not just the vulgarity in digital content but also its lack of originality. Social media swiftly linked the question to Truth or Drink, a comedy show from Australia hosted by Sammy Walsh. In the original episode, Walsh presented the same bizarre hypothetical to comedian Alan Fang.
The controversy surrounding Ranveer Allahbadia, also brings to the forefront, a critical constitutional debate – where do we draw the line between freedom of speech and responsibility in content creation? Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution guarantees the Fundamental Right to ‘Freedom of Speech and Expression’, but it comes with reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2), including public decency and morality. The focus must shift from merely advocating Fundamental Rights to instilling a deeper commitment to Fundamental Duties.
Article 51A of the Indian Constitution enshrines these duties, urging citizens to uphold the dignity of women, respect India’s rich cultural heritage and foster a spirit of scientific temper and humanism. In today’s digital age, where content creation holds immense power, social media influencers must be more aware of these responsibilities.
The recent incident – among many others in the past, though none as brazen – reflects a troubling cultural decline. The relentless pursuit of profit and popularity has overshadowed the essence of responsible communication. Merely imitating Western trends for the sake of TRPs not only erodes societal values but also exposes influencers to unintended consequences. Upholding decency and cultural integrity in digital spaces is not just a moral obligation but a necessity for preserving the ethos of our nation.
The Historical Context of Drama
This discussion further leads us to the historical context of artistic responsibility, as encapsulated in the ‘Natyashastra’, an ancient Indian treatise on drama and performance. Authored by sage Bharata between 200 BCE and 200 CE, ‘Natyashastra’ is the cornerstone of Indian performing arts. While advocating ethical storytelling. It stresses discipline, humility and cultural integrity in performances.
The text warns against arrogance and artistic misuse, highlighting the role of art in societal upliftment and moral education. If lessons of ‘Natyashastra’ were to be imbibed by content creators, they would recognise the power of their platforms and exercise restraint in their expression.
Historically, India has also had a vibrant tradition of live performance and satire in the form of ‘Bahurupias’, a community of street performers who entertained audiences through mimicry, storytelling, and political satire. Unlike today’s digital comedians, ‘Bahurupias’ adhered to ethical storytelling, ensuring their humour remained socially constructive rather than destructive.
Offending sensibilities in their era could lead to stringent punishments, yet they managed to craft thought-provoking and respectful humour. The ‘Bahurupiyas’, named after Sanskrit “bahu” (many) and “roop” (form), are traditional impressionists known for their ability to assume multiple identities depicting their art that required deep cultural understanding. Dhirubhai Thakar, the renowned Gujarati literary historian, highlighted the significance of folk traditions like Bahurupias, stating,” The Bahurupia tradition is a testament to how humour, when wielded responsibly, can be both entertaining and enlightening.”
Setting Norms
In the face of rising controversial digital content, a structured ethical framework is essential to balance creative freedom with social responsibility. Indian knowledge systems have long emphasised a two-fold approach – one for creators and another for consumers, much like Master Abhinavagupta’s – (an illustrious Spiritual Master who injected new meaning into the Shaiva Philosophy, which 1,000 years later became more popularly known as Kashmir Shaivism) – the distinction between ‘Nata’ (performer) and ‘Rasika’ (audience). Digital creators should be trained in ethical communication, while audiences must develop discernment. Social media influencers, given their reach, need structured value-based training, akin to traditional performers, with a self-regulatory body overseeing content. Strengthening community guidelines on platforms like YouTube and Instagram to align with Indian cultural and legal norms can curb harmful content. Additionally, inspired by ‘Natyashastra’s’ role in guiding performers, public awareness campaigns can foster responsible digital consumption beyond punitive measures. In On Liberty (1859), John Stuart Mill emphasises the ethical boundaries of personal freedom, asserting that individual liberty must be limited when it infringes upon others. He says, “The liberty of the individual must be thus far limited; he must not make himself a nuisance to other people.”
The Ranveer Allahbadia controversy is not an isolated incident but a reflection of a larger societal issue – the gradual erosion of ethical entertainment. The challenge lies not just in regulating social media but in fostering a culture of conscious content creation and consumption.
(The writer is Programme Executive, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti; views are personal)
