NHRC member asks Youtube to take down 'obscene and vulgar ...

Priyank Kanoongo, member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in a letter written to Youtube has directed the social media platform to take down the “obscene and vulgar” video of podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia from the show ‘India’s Got Latent’.

In a letter written to YouTube’s Public Policy head, Mira Chatt, Mr. Kanoongo said the Commission has received a complaint from one Yogendra Singh Thakur, who alleged that a YouTube show titled ‘India’s Got Latent’, hosted by stand-up comedian Samay Raina, contains highly objectionable, inappropriate, and obscene remarks against Indian society.

The NHRC member claimed that the complaint highlights concerns regarding the show’s propagation of negativity, discriminatory perspectives, religious and cultural intolerance, and disrespectful and obscene ideologies, particularly towards women and children.

It is further alleged that, under the guise of freedom of speech, the show disseminates obscene and vulgar content along with misleading messages, thereby fostering a corrupt mindset in society.

“The Commission has come across certain links indicating that a recent episode of the India’s Got Talent show features YouTubers making vulgar and explicit statements concerning children and women. These statements are not only deeply objectionable but also amount to a serious violation of woman and child rights. The availability of such content on widely accessible platforms, including YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, poses a grave threat to the safety, dignity, and mental well-being of children including women,” Mr. Kanoongo’s letter reads.

He further directed Youtube to take urgent action to remove the concerned episode/videos from its platform. “Prior to the removal of such content, you are also required to submit details of the channel and the specific videos to the concerned police authorities where the FIR has been registered, for further necessary action,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Allahbadia took to social media to apologise for his comment after the massive outrage trigged over the issue. “My comment wasn’t just inappropriate, it wasn’t even funny. Comedy is not my forte. I am just here to say sorry,” he said.