In the midst of a raging controversy over podcaster Ranveer Allahabadia’s vulgar remarks, a parliamentary panel on Thursday requested that the Information and Broadcasting Ministry submit a note by February 17 outlining the amendments required in existing laws to kerb controversial internet content.
Ranveer Allahabadia, one of the country’s most well-known YouTube stars, has been arrested by police in Assam and Mumbai for making crude remarks on Samay Raina’s popular comedy show, India’s Got Latent. The police have summoned both Raina and Allahabadia for questioning.
Members of Parliament’s Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology expressed concern about Allahbadia’s comments and called for strict punishment, according to ANI. The panel also called for measures to prevent similar incidents.
The meeting was attended by the committee chairperson, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, and the information and broadcasting secretary, Sanjay Jaju.
According to ANI, the panel later sent a communication to Jaju with the subject “review of implementation of laws related to all forms of media”.
The panel requested that the ministry provide the note citing “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.
Most members at the meeting were of the view that the existing laws should be amended to regulate content on social media and Over The Top (OTT) platforms. They said the extant laws should be used to take action against those airing controversial content like Allahbadia.
BJP’s Anil Baluni, V D Sharma, Lahar Singh Siroya, BJD MP Sasmit Patra and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi were among those who raised the issue.
Ranveer Allahabadia has apologised for the remarks. The Mumbai police have registered a case against him.
Samay Raina, who runs the controversial show, said on Wednesday that he had deleted all episodes of India’s Got Latent from YouTube.
Mumbai police summons Allahabadia
The Mumbai Police has asked Allahbadia to remain present at the Khar police station on Friday after he failed to appear in connection with the probe.
The city police as well as the Maharashtra Cyber Department have also asked Samay Raina to appear before them in the next five days.
Allahabadia didn’t appear before the police, saying he was scared of the media, PTI reported, citing an official.
Samay Raina is currently in the US and has asked for time to appear before the authorities.
