YouTube has removed a controversial episode of comedian Samay Raina’s show ‘India’s Got Latent’ following a notice from the Centre. The episode featured popular podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia making obscene remarks, which ignited massive backlash and multiple complaints alleging vulgarity.
The controversy erupted after Allahbadia, also known as BeerBiceps, asked a contestant on the show, “Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life, or would you join in once and stop it forever?” The remark led to widespread criticism, with many calling for stricter regulations on online content.
On Tuesday, Kanchan Gupta, senior advisor to the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, confirmed the removal of the episode.
He tweeted, “The ‘India Has Latent’ episode on YouTube with obscene and perverse comments by Ranveer Allahbadia has been blocked following Government of India orders.”
He also posted a screengrab of the episode on YouTube, showing a message stating that the content was unavailable due to a legal complaint from the government.
In response to the growing backlash, Allahbadia issued an apology, saying, “My comment wasn’t just inappropriate, it wasn’t even funny. Comedy is not my forte. I am just here to say sorry. I personally had a lapse in judgment, it wasn’t cool on my part.”
Meanwhile, Mumbai Police have summoned Allahbadia and Raina for questioning in connection with the controversy.
Authorities have asked them to appear before investigating officers and present their side of the matter. No specific date has been set for their appearance.
This comes after Mumbai Police DCP Diskhit Gedam confirmed that an inquiry had been launched following complaints against Allahbadia, Raina, the show’s organisers, YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani and social media influencer Apoorva Makhija, also known as The Rebel Kid, who participated in the episode.
Separately, Assam Police have also registered an FIR against the judges and host of the show, accusing them of promoting obscenity and sexually explicit content.
The controversy has reached the political sphere, with the Parliamentary panel on Information Technology (IT) considering summoning Allahbadia for questioning. Sources said the panel may issue a notice following complaints from multiple MPs and the filing of FIRs. Action may also be taken against YouTube for airing the content.
BJD MP Sasmit Patra and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, members of the panel, have voiced concerns over the incident.
Patra stated, “It is extremely unfortunate… I want stricter guidelines and stricter measures for such disparaging remarks that are used so loosely, especially when such young impressionable minds follow such YouTubers.”
Chaturvedi highlighted that Allahbadia had received an award from the Prime Minister and had hosted several politicians on his podcast, saying, “Any abusive language in the name of comedy content crosses limits and is not acceptable. You get a platform and that doesn’t mean that you will utter anything. He is someone with millions of subscribers. Every politician has sat on his podcast. The Prime Minister has also given him an award.”
Allahbadia, who has 10.5 million subscribers on his BeerBiceps YouTube channel and 4.5 million followers on Instagram, was felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the first-ever National Creators Awards last year.
Amid the ongoing outrage, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hinted at potential action against the YouTuber. “Everyone has freedom of speech, but our freedom ends when we encroach upon the freedom of others,” he said.
“There should be a dignified way of expressing ourselves. In our society, there are rules against obscenity. It is very wrong for someone to violate those rules, and action should be taken against the violators.”
With millions of followers across social media platforms, Allahbadia and Raina remain among the most-watched creators online.
Also Read: Ranveer Allahbadia Apologises for Controversial Remark on India’s Got Latent
