Apoorva Mukhija Embroiled in 'India's Got Latent' Controversy
The incident has raised questions about the limits of free speech and the role of regulatory bodies in policing online content, with many calling for a balance between creative freedom and social responsibility, as Apoorva Makhija and other participants await their summons.
YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, also known as Beer Biceps, and comedian Samay Raina are facing backlash over their 'obscene' content on the show 'India's Got Latent', with a parliamentary committee considering summoning Allahbadia to address the issue, alongside Apoorva Makhija and other participants.
The controversy began when a clip from the show featuring Allahbadia went viral, sparking outrage and multiple FIRs being filed against the show's participants. Allahbadia had made a crass 'joke' that asked a contestant if they would rather watch their parents have sex every day for the rest of their life or join in once and stop it forever. The Maharashtra cyber police filed a case under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, among other sections, and have registered a case against 30 individuals, including artists, hosts, judges, and participants of all six episodes of the show.
Allahbadia has since apologized for his comments, stating that comedy is not his forte and that he had a lapse in judgment. However, his apology has been met with skepticism from many, who believe it was an act of damage control. Samay Raina, the host of the comedy show, has deleted all videos of the show from his YouTube channel in response to the ongoing controversy and expressed his regret over the controversy, stating that his only objective was to make people laugh.
The row has triggered a massive debate on freedom of speech and what constitutes decency, with many calling for stricter regulations on online content. Cricketer Virat Kohli has unfollowed Ranveer on Instagram, and screenshots of Kohli's unfollowing have gone viral on social media. Ranveer has lost over 8,000 followers on social media and is set to appear before police in a couple of days to record his statement.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the parliamentary committee will address the issue and what implications it may have for the future of online content in the country. The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the need for responsible content creation and the importance of respecting social norms and values.
