Mumbai Police Summons YouTubers Over Controversial Remarks in Reality Show

Feb, 12 2025

Controversial Remarks Trigger Police Action

Recently, the Mumbai Police paid a visit to the home of YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia after a storm of controversy erupted over comments he made on the reality show India’s Got Latent. The visit on February 11, 2025, was part of an ongoing investigation prompted by several complaints against Allahbadia and others such as comedian Samay Raina, influencer Apoorva Makhija, and fellow YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani. These individuals are accused of using offensive language and making disrespectful remarks concerning family relationships and individuals with disabilities.

The action against Allahbadia and his peers stems from complaints filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 294 and 286, as well as Section 67A of the Information Technology Act. These sections pertain to obscenities and potentially harmful content. Leading the legal charge, a Supreme Court lawyer has called these remarks not just vulgar but detrimental to societal norms.

Public Outrage and Official Responses

The backlash has been significant, with the National Commission for Women summoning not only Allahbadia but also Raina, Chanchlani, and others involved, demanding their appearance by February 17. Additionally, authorities seem determined to uncover the full scope of the issue, as they have already recorded statements from Chanchlani and Makhija, and are reaching out to platforms like BookMyShow for further audience details.

The controversy has sparked a wide public debate, with Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi planning to bring this topic to parliamentary discussions, advocating for stricter regulations regarding social media content. On social media, a wave of criticism condemns the show, accusing it of undermining societal ethics. In response, Allahbadia issued an apology, acknowledging that his jokes crossed the line and have subsequently removed the offensive content from his YouTube channel.

Additionally, the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, commented on the incident, stressing the importance of balancing free speech and responsible content creation. The incident sheds light on the ongoing battle between creative expression and the repercussions of virtual platforms encroaching upon personal and community values.