The Supreme Court has raised serious concerns about obscene content on YouTube and asked the central government if it plans to take action. The court made these remarks while hearing a plea by influencer Ranveer Allahbadia, who is facing multiple FIRs over controversial comments made during his stand-up show on YouTube.
“We would like you (government) to do something, if the government is willing to do something, we are happy. Otherwise, we are not going to leave this vacuum and barren area the way it is being misused by so-called YouTube channels and YouTubers..,” Justice Surya Kant tells Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati and seeks Attorney General and Solicitor General assistance in the matter.
The case against Allahbadia stems from his remarks on sex and parenting, which the court found offensive. “The words you have used will make daughters, sisters, parents, and society feel ashamed. If this is not obscenity, then what is?” Justice Kant asked. The court also said that his statements reflected a “perverted mind.”
“He has shown the dirt in his mind, which he vomited, why should we protect?” he further added.
While the Supreme Court has granted Allahbadia protection from arrest for now, it has placed restrictions on him. He has been ordered to surrender his passport at the Thane police station and cannot leave the country without court permission and he cannot host or attend any host for the time being. He must also cooperate with investigations in Maharashtra and Assam, where FIRs have been lodged against him.
This case has reignited the debate over free speech and the limits of online content in India. While some argue that comedy should have the freedom to push boundaries, others believe there must be stricter regulations to prevent offensive material. The Supreme Court’s latest intervention suggests that a broader crackdown on explicit and inappropriate content on YouTube could be on the horizon.