The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday asked YouTube to take an “urgent action” against influencer Ranveer Allahbadia and remove the episode in which he allegedly made offensive remarks from the popular platform.
On the comedy reality show, popular among today’s youth for its edgy bordering on offensive content, Allahbadia asked a question to a contestant on parents and sex, which has been panned by many and led to police complaints. In an apology video on social media on Monday, Allahbadia admitted that his comment was not only inappropriate, but also not funny.
Priyank Kanoongo, a member of the NHRC, in his letter said the rights panel has received a complaint from wherein it has been alleged that a YouTube show titled ‘India’s Got Latent’, hosted by Samay Raina, contains highly objectionable, inappropriate and obscene remarks against the Indian society. The letter has been written to YouTube’s head of public policy in lndia.
“Additionally, the Commission has come across certain links indicating that a recent episode of the aforementioned show features YouTubers making vulgar and explicit statements concerning children and women. These statements are not only deeply objectionable but also amount to a serious violation of woman and child rights.
The availability of such content on widely accessible platforms, including YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, poses a grave threat to the safety, dignity, and mental well-being of children including woman,” Kanoongo wrote in the letter.
“In view of the foregoing, you are hereby directed to take urgent action to remove the concerned episode/videos from YouTube. Prior to the removal of such content, you are also required to submit details of the channel and the specific videos to the concerned police authorities where the FIR has been registered, for further necessary action,” the letter added.
The Commission has also sought an action taken report.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday hinted at the possibility of initiating action against Allahbadia.
Two Mumbai lawyers have already lodged a complaint with the police against Allahbadia, better known as the BeerBiceps Guy, and Sanjay Raina for allegedly “promoting obscenity”. Another complaint has been filed before the Mumbai Police Commissioner and the State Women and Child Commission.
In his complaint lodged with the Mumbai police commissioner and the State Women and Child Commission, activist Rahul Easwar with the Mumbai Commissioner has also named Raina, the show’s organisers and social media influencer Apoorva Makhija, popularly known as The Rebel Kid, who participated in a controversial episode of the show.
Talking to media persons, Fadnavis said: “I have come to know about it. I have not seen it yet. Things have been said and presented in a wrong way. Everyone has freedom of speech but our freedom ends when we encroach upon the freedom of others… In our society, we have made some rules, if someone violates them it is absolutely wrong and action should be taken against them”..
Hitting out at Allahbadia for his “low-level mind-set”, BJP leader Ram Kadam said: “Parents are the face of god in this world. This is the thinking in every religion. But for the sake of money, a YouTuber has displayed a low-level mindset. What has happened to him? He should at least have thought about what his own parents would feel like. But no, money comes first (for him). The central government should bring in a strict law against such a mindset and thinking because it is happening repeatedly. He should apologise immediately and the government should bring in the new law”.
Former NCW chief and Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma said that such jokes should “never be accepted by society” and the open display of such jokes shows the moral downfall of the young generation.
“Making jokes about a mother or a female’s body doesn’t look good and somewhere it shows how today’s youth has stooped down to such a level morally. I think such jokes affect others who are engaged in similar creative things. I have just forwarded that video to the NCW Chairperson to take action,” she said.
On his part, Allahbadia has tendered an unconditional apology. “My comment was not just inappropriate, it was not even funny. Comedy is not my forte. I am just here to say sorry. Many of you asked if this is how I wished to use my platform and obviously, this is not how I wish to use it. …I shouldn’t have said what I said on India’s Got Latent. I’m sorry,” he said.
“I’m just here for an apology. I personally had a lapse in judgment. It wasn’t cool on my part. The podcast is watched by people of all ages. I don’t want to be the kind of person that takes that responsibility lightly and family is the last thing that I would ever disrespect,” Allahbadia said.
During the controversial episode of the reality show “India’s Got Latent, Allahbadia asked a contestant, “Would you watch your parents have sex for the rest of your life - or would you join in once and stop it forever?”. The controversial question triggered an immediate backlash on social media, with the participants demanding restrictions on content regulations, especially on online forums and OTT platforms.