New Delhi, February 10: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Priyank Kanoongo has written a letter to Mira Chatt, Head of Public Policy at YouTube, urging the platform to remove the controversial episode of ‘India’s Got Latent’ that sparked widespread outrage. The episode, which featured Ranveer Allahbadia and other participants making offensive remarks, especially targeting women, has drawn significant criticism and triggered legal scrutiny.
Urgent Action Requested
In his letter, Kanoongo directed YouTube to take “urgent action” and remove the episode from the platform. He also requested YouTube to provide details of the channel and specific videos to the police authorities, as an FIR (First Information Report) had already been registered. Kanoongo further stated that an Action Taken Report should be submitted to the NHRC within ten days.
Complaint Highlights
The complaint, filed by Yogendra Singh Thakur, alleges that the episode promotes “negativity, discriminatory perspectives, religious and cultural intolerance,” and contains “disrespectful and obscene ideologies” targeting women and children. The letter notes that the content violates several sections of Indian law, including the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Kanoongo pointed out that the remarks made in the episode are “deeply objectionable” and constitute a serious violation of women’s and children’s rights. The complaint specifically calls attention to the “obscene and vulgar content,” accusing the organizers and participants of intentionally using offensive language to attract viewers for financial gain.
Legal Action and Public Outcry
The controversy erupted after Allahbadia made derogatory comments in a joking manner during the YouTube episode, which were perceived as offensive by many. The remarks, centered around women’s private parts, sparked an online backlash. Subsequently, formal complaints were filed with the Mumbai Commissioner and Maharashtra Women’s Commission, demanding strict legal action against the participants and organizers.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed concern over the incident, stating, “Everyone has freedom of speech, but our freedom ends when we encroach upon the freedom of others.” He emphasized the need for action when societal norms are violated.
This case highlights the growing concern about responsible content creation on digital platforms and the importance of upholding societal values, especially when dealing with sensitive issues. The NHRC’s involvement underscores the severity of the matter and the call for swift action against content that harms public decency and women’s dignity.