The Supreme Court on Monday allowed embattled
YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia to restart his podcast, The
Ranveer Show, provided he submits an undertaking ensuring that
the content upholds moral and decent standards suitable for all viewers. A bench of led by Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh
was hearing Allahbadia's plea requesting the lifting of the order barring
him from airing his shows, citing that he employs 280 people and relies on it
for his livelihood. "He is saying there are multiple employees,
so there are families whose livelihood is in question. Subject to maintaining
morality and decency, if he wants to run a program, we can say he can,"
the court said.
During
the hearing, the issue of India's Got Latent was also
discussed. Allahbadia sparked controversy with his crass comments on Samay
Raina's YouTube show India's Got Latent, resulting in multiple FIRs
against him and others on the show. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said he
had watched the show “out of curiosity” and found it not just vulgar but
“perverse.” He stressed the clear distinction between humor, vulgarity, and
outright perversity.
"Humour
is one thing, vulgarity is another, but perversity is a whole different
level," Mehta said, highlighting the Supreme Court’s concern over
deteriorating content standards on social media.
reaffirmed
that while freedom of speech is a fundamental right, there must be a defined
limit when it comes to obscenity.
The
top court also questioned whether digital content creators believe they have
unrestricted freedom to use inappropriate language under the guise of free
expression. Justice Kant stated, "One of them went to
Canada and spoke about all of this .. these young and over smart ones think
they know more than this...we know how to handle." According to
court’s order, the interim protection from arrest granted to Allahbadia on
February 18 will remain in effect until further notice. The latest Supreme
Court directive also prohibits Ranveer Allahbadia from discussing the case
on The Ranveer Show.