YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, widely known as BeerBiceps, has found himself embroiled in a significant controversy following his inappropriate remarks during a recent episode of the show ‘India’s Got Latent.’
The episode, which featured popular content creators including Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Mukhija (The Rebel Kid), has sparked outrage across social media platforms.
During the episode, Allahbadia posed a shocking question to a contestant: “Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once and stop it forever?” This comment was met with immediate backlash, with many netizens labeling it as “offensive,” “derogatory,” and “downright ugly.”
The fallout from the episode was swift, leading to a formal complaint being lodged against Allahbadia with both the Mumbai Police and the National Commission for Women (NCW). The complaint accused Allahbadia, host Samay Raina, and other participants of using abusive language and making obscene comments about women during the show.
As the controversy escalated, Allahbadia took to social media to issue an apology, stating, “My comment wasn’t funny and I am just so sorry.” Despite his attempt to address the situation, the damage had already been done, and public outrage continued to grow.
In response to the incident, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has intervened, taking cognizance of the matter under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo has directed YouTube to take urgent action to remove the controversial episode and its associated videos from the platform.
In a letter addressed to Mira Chatt, Head of Public Policy at YouTube, Kanoongo emphasized the need for immediate action, stating, “You are hereby directed to take urgent action to remove the concerned episode/videos from YouTube.”
Kanoongo’s letter also requested that YouTube provide details of the channel and specific videos to the police authorities where a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered, ensuring that further necessary action can be taken. The NHRC has demanded an Action Taken Report within ten days of the letter’s issuance.
The controversy has also caught the attention of political figures, with Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi announcing her intention to raise the issue in the standing committee of IT & Communication. Chaturvedi criticized the vulgar and blasphemous content being passed off as comedy, asserting that such material can have a detrimental influence on young minds.
She condemned the language used by Allahbadia and the encouragement it received from others on the panel, calling it unacceptable.
Former NCW chief and current NHRC member Rekha Sharma also weighed in on the issue, stating that jokes of this nature should never be accepted by society. She expressed concern over the moral decline reflected in such humor, particularly among the youth.
“Making jokes about a mother or a female’s body doesn’t look good and shows how today’s youth has stooped down to such a level morally,” Sharma remarked. She has forwarded the video to the NCW Chairperson for further action.
The incident has ignited a broader conversation about the responsibilities of content creators and the impact of their words on society. As the backlash continues, it remains to be seen how the involved parties will navigate the legal and social ramifications of this controversy.
With the NHRC’s involvement and the growing calls for accountability, the future of ‘India’s Got Latent’ and its participants hangs in the balance, highlighting the critical need for sensitivity and respect in comedic discourse.
