The YouTube show ‘India’s Got Latent,’ hosted by Samay Raina, has become the center of controversy following its episode featuring Ranveer Allahbadia otherwise known as BeerBiceps. The vulgar and inappropriate comments made by Allahbadia during the episode got many FIRs and summons issued to judges, contestants, and everyone connected with its production.
The Inappropriate Comment and Resulting Backlash
The controversy kicked off after an episode of “India’s Got Latent” where content creators Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Mukhija came on as guests. Ranveer Allahbadia asked a question to one of the contestants which, to many, made allusions to incest. The question, “Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day or join them to finish it once and for all?” immediately sparked a flurry of ire in the social media platforms.
The crude and obscene comments did arouse a lot of backlash, alongside questions regarding content creation in India. While some saw the edgy format of the show as a plus, others thought that it had crossed the line when it came to ethical considerations. The controversy reached a political level, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis saying that freedom of speech is important. However, that is not absolute; if limits are crossed, action will be taken.
FIRs and Legal Sections Invoked
The outrage and condemnation from different quarters led to the filing of FIRs against Samay Raina, Ranveer Allahbadia, Apoorva Makhija, and several others connected to the show. Various sections of the Indian laws were invoked in the FIRs: Section 296 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. These laws delineate some offenses such as the sale of obscene material, public obscenity, transmission of obscene material and unregulated public exhibition of films.
The Maharashtra Cyber Cell booked 30-40 persons related to the show from episode one to episode six. Notices were issued to all the accused to appear and record their statements.
Summonses and Investigations
Along with the filing of FIRs, the Mumbai Police and Maharashtra Cyber Cell also called in several persons for questioning, including judges Ashish Chanchlani and Apoorva Mukhija, contestants of the show, and others associated with it. The National Commission for Women (NCW) summoned Ranveer Allahbadia, Samay Raina, and several others for compromising dignity and respect.
According to reports, during the investigations, judges Mukhija and Chanchlani told the police the show was not scripted and that participants were encouraged to express themselves freely.
Content Removal and Apologies
With an increasing turn of public opinion and legal pressure on him, Samay Raina removed all episodes of India’s Got Latent from YouTube. Following a government directive, an episode was blocked by YouTube. The Maharashtra Cyber Cell also asked YouTube to remove all the episodes concerning the explicit content.
Ranveer Allahbadia now issued a public apology declaring his comments inappropriate, insensitive, and lacking humor. Besides, he mentioned having suffered from a lapse in judgment and would want to learn to use that platform more responsibly in the future. In addition, Allahbadia wanted to have the offensive sections of that episode deleted by the producers of “India’s Got Latent”.
Voices of Criticism
This has provoked criticism from many quarters. The Comedian Sunil Pal slammed Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay Raina for making vulgar remarks and absurdly called them uneducated individuals and asked that they be treated as terrorists. The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) called for a ban on the show of Samay Raina and even asked for actors, filmmakers, directors, and technicians not to have any connections with the people associated with the show.
Kharaj Mukhopadhyay, an actor, mentioned that he would not like to be even an audience for any show that dealt with sexual jokes about parents, giving importance to understanding the intention behind a joke: whether it is said in good humor or as an insult. Content creator and actor Mir mentioned that this requires self-censorship and self-analysis, and there have to be some limits where one has to understand what can be said in the public space in India.
Freedom of Speech vs. Decency
“India’s Got Latent” controversy involves the narrow ridge between freedom of speech and the need to keep public decency and order. The Constitution of India provides freedom of speech and expression, but it is subject to reasonable restrictions including those imposed in the interest of decency or morality.
The courts have always maintained that obscenity is not included under the constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech. However, they also emphasized the fact that artistic expression has to be protected from being suppressed because suppression curtails creativity.
Conclusion
The “India’s Got Latent” controversy strongly points to how comedy and the law intertwine with moral values in India. The legal action taken against the show and the participants selected reflects authorities’ fear about what obscene and even offensive content can do to society. It presses home the value of self-responsibility and self-censorship needed on the part of content creators while still enforcing the freedom of expression within law limits.
About Author
Syeda Ayesha is a passionate 3rd year BBA LLB student at Sultan-Ul-Uloom College of Law, Hyderabad with a special interest in criminal law and family law. I have built my academic journey with legal principles from basic to advanced levels and am eager to use them in practice. I am determined to gain practical experience and learn more about the law. I am excited to have the chance to work in a dynamic legal environment for personal and professional growth.
