From the National Commission for Women (NCW) to a joint parliamentary panel, there are growing demands for enacting legislation to bring social media platforms and OTT streaming platforms under the ambit of law.
This comes amid a furore over comments made by content creator Ranveer Allahbadia on comedian Samay Raina’s YouTube webseries “India’s Got Latent”.
In a post on X, NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said that she has written a letter to IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw regarding the “increasing prevalence of obscene content” on OTT platforms. She also emphasised the need for immediate regulatory measures to address this issue, citing violation of multiple legal provisions including the IT Act, POCSO Act and the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
“Such content not only perpetuates harmful stereotypes but also poses a direct threat to the safety and dignity of women and children,” Rahatkar added in the post.
Meanwhile, as per news agency PTI, “some” members of the parliamentary committee on communications and information technology plan to raise the issue of Allahbadia’s “vulgar” comments at the panel’s upcoming meeting on February 13.
As per the report, the panel is studying existing legal instruments encompassing OTT platforms, with many members underlining the need for promulgating laws to cover social media and OTT platforms.
A senior committee member reportedly said that the panel will largely concern itself with the wider issues concerning the content on various media platforms, adding that Allahbadia may not be summoned by the committee. The meeting’s agenda pertains to the oral evidence of the representatives of the ministries of communications, and information and broadcasting.
Panel member Priyanka Chaturvedi, a MP from Shiv Sena (UBT), reportedly said that she will raise the matter regarding the “vulgar, blasphemous content that is passed off as comedy”.
“We need to set boundaries since these platforms influence young minds and they are passing off absolute rubbish as content. The language used by Ranveer Allahbadia, which was also actively encouraged by others on that ‘comedy panel’, is unacceptable,” she added.
What’s The Issue All About?
At the heart of the controversy is the latest episode of comedy show “India’s Got Latent” featuring podcaster Allahbadia, Raina, Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh and Apoorva Mukhija.
During the episode, Allahbadia stirred a controversy after he asked a question to a contestant, which invited the ire of Indian netizens and critics. The matter quickly snowballed into a row as internet users demanded an apology and action against the content creators.
Amid the clamour, Allahbadia issued a public apology saying, “I shouldn’t have said what I said on India’s Got Latent. I’m sorry… My comment was not appropriate, it wasn’t even funny. Comedy is not my forte. I am just here to say sorry.”
The aftermath saw YouTube take down the episode, which was initially released exclusively for the show’s paid members on the platform.
Reacting to the controversy, celebrities ranging from singer Pratik Bachan (popularly known as B Praak) to comedian Sunil Pal lashed out at Allahbadia’s comments, with the former cancelling his appearance on the podcaster’s show.
While Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said that freedom of expression has its limits, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) also called for a strict action against the creators, and demanded an ‘immediate ban’ on the show.
The aftermath also saw multiple Police complaints filed across the country, including in Maharashtra, Assam and Madhya Pradesh, in connection with the controversy, seeking action against Allahbadia and other attendees of the episode.
The issue also echoed in the Lok Sabha, with Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske urging the government to evolve guidelines for content on such online programmes.
Earlier in the day, Guwahati joint commissioner of police Ankur Jain said that the accused will be issued notices and summons in “due course of time”. Prior to that, a team of Mumbai Police officials reached the Mumbai residence of Allahbadia.
Later on, Maharashtra Cyber Cell on Tuesday (February 11) filed a case against 30 to 40 people involved in the show. As per reports, law enforcement authorities are in the process of sending notices to celebs who have featured on various episodes of the show.
As if this was not enough, the NCW also issued summons to Allahbadia, Raina and others over derogatory remarks. The hearing has been scheduled on February 17.
The post India’s Got Latent Controversy: A Saga Of Apology, Summons & A Political Row appeared first on Inc42 Media.
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