'Tackle the vacuum': SC seeks Centre's response on obscene content
What's the story
The Supreme Court of India has asked the central government to tackle obscene content on YouTube.
The development came while the SC was hearing the case of YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, who is facing multiple FIRs for controversial comments on the show India's Got Latent.
"We are not going to leave this vacuum and barren area the way it is being misused by so-called YouTube channels and YouTubers," said Justice Surya Kant, who was presiding over the bench.
Court's action
Allahbadia granted interim protection, court questions obscenity parameters
The court stated that it would be "very happy" if the government took action on its own.
It has given Allahbadia interim protection from arrest provided he cooperates with the ongoing investigations.
It also ruled out any new FIRs against him on the basis of the aired episode.
Further, Allahbadia was asked to surrender his passport and not leave India without permission.
The court further ordered that Allahabadia and his associates not do any other shows for the time being.
Public backlash
Controversial joke leads to public outrage, FIRs against Allahbadia
Although the court granted him interim relief, Justice Kant chastised Allahabadia for the words he used, calling it "dirty" and "perverted."
"If this is not obscenity, then what is obscenity?" he said.
The Supreme Court's remarks came after reports emerged that a Parliamentary Standing Committee is mulling recommending stricter laws for digital content regulation.
Per reports, the panel is said to be considering recommending tighter digital content rules.
Regulation gap
Court expresses concern over lack of online content regulation
In an episode of India's Got Latent, Allahbadia stirred controversy by asking a contestant, "Would you prefer to watch your parents engage in intercourse every day or participate once to end it forever?"
This sparked public outrage and led to three FIRs being filed against him.
"He should be ashamed [of] what he has done to his parents. We are not in ivory towers...we know.... he copied an Australian show's content. There are warnings in such shows," Justice Kant stated.