On Thursday, a parliamentary commission requested that the Information and Broadcasting Ministry submit a note by February 17 regarding the amendments necessary to existing laws to regulate controversial content on the internet, in response to the ongoing controversy surrounding the vulgar remarks made by podcaster Ranveer Allahabadia.
Ranveer Allahabadia, one of the most renowned YouTube celebrities in the country, has been arrested by the police in Mumbai and Assam for making crude comments on the popular comedy program India’s Got Latent, hosted by Samay Raina. The police have summons both Raina and Allahabadia for questioning.
ANI reported that the members of the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology expressed concern regarding Allahbadia’s comments and urged the implementation of severe penalties. Measures to prevent such incidents were also advocated by the panel.
The meeting was witnessed by the committee’s chairperson, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, and information and broadcasting secretary Sanjay Jaju.
ANI reported that the commission subsequently sent a communication to Jaju regarding the “review of implementation of laws related to all forms of media,” citing sources.
The tribunal requested that the ministry submit the note that references “the vulgar remarks of YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia in a YouTube short.”
“With the examination of the subject” Review of Implementation of Laws related to all forms of Media “, and in the light of a recent episode of controversy generated by the vulgar remarks of YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia in a YouTube short, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is requested to provide a brief note regarding the amendments required in all the laws (Act, Code, Guidelines, etc) related to media due to the emergence of new forms of technology and media platforms,” according to the letter, which ANI obtained.
The majority of attendees at the meeting believed that the current laws should be revised to regulate content on social media and Over The Top (OTT) platforms. They stated that the existing laws should be employed to address individuals who broadcast controversial content, such as Allahbadia.
Among those who raised the issue were BJP’s Anil Baluni, V D Sharma, Lahar Singh Siroya, BJD MP Sasmit Patra, and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi.
Ranveer Allahabadia has issued an apology for his comments. He has been charged by the Mumbai police.
On Wednesday, Samay Raina, the host of the contentious program, announced that he had removed all episodes of India’s Got Latent from YouTube.
Allahabadia is summoned by the Mumbai police.
Allahbadia has been requested by the Mumbai Police to remain at the Khar police station on Friday in connection with the investigation, as he has failed to appear.
Samay Raina has been requested to appear before the Maharashtra Cyber Department and the city authorities within the next five days.
According to an official, Allahabadia declined to appear before the police, citing his fear of the media.
Samay Raina is presently in the United States and has requested an extension of time to appear before the authorities.
He was requested by the Mumbai police to record his statement prior to February 17.
