NEW DELHI: A crude joke on India’s Got Latent, a show hosted by comedian Samay Raina, has landed YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia—popularly known as BeerBiceps—into legal trouble. His comment about parents and sex, which went viral on February 10, sparked public outrage and multiple FIRs against him and fellow comedians Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Makhija.
Even as the Supreme Court shielded Allahbadia from immediate arrest on Tuesday, the judges did not hold back their criticism. “This is vulgarity. You have a dirty mind,” the bench observed, making it clear that legal immunity did not equate to moral approval.
SC’s strong words: ‘This is obscenity’
Multiple FIRs were lodged against Allahbadia across states, prompting senior advocate Abhinav Chandrachud to seek relief. The Supreme Court, while granting interim protection, made its disapproval clear.
- Justice Surya Kant questioned: “Where is the question of an individual’s morality? Who on earth would like these kinds of words? You are insulting parents. This is something very dirty in his mind that has been vomited out in this kind of a programme.”
- He further rebuked, “Parents will feel ashamed, daughters and sisters will feel ashamed, your younger brother will feel ashamed, the entire society will feel ashamed.”
- The bench asked, “If this is not obscenity, then what is the standard of obscenity?”
The court directed Allahbadia and his associates to halt any further shows until further orders, bluntly stating, “Stop this show business for the time being.”
Comedy, morality, and the law: A recurring debate
Chandrachud admitted he found Allahbadia’s words “disgusting” but questioned whether they warranted criminal prosecution. The bench fired back: “Does this judgment (on obscenity) give you a license to speak all kinds of vulgarity? Can he spew his depraved mind anywhere and anytime?”
The case reignites the debate on free speech and comedy in India. From Kunal Kamra’s judiciary jabs to Munawar Faruqui’s jail time for alleged religious slander, comedians have repeatedly faced legal action. The court noted, “Society has self-evolved values. What are those parameters? We want to hear from the petitioner and other artists—how do you define your limits?”
Threats and legal Consequences
Allahbadia’s counsel cited threats from a former wrestler and legislator, which had made it unsafe for him to travel where FIRs were filed. The court dismissed this, saying, “If you seek cheap publicity with abusive language, someone issuing threats also wants to be popular.” However, it condemned vigilantism, asserting, “This is not a people’s court. The judicial system will take its course.”
What’s next?
The SC ordered Allahbadia to submit his passport to Thane police and barred him from leaving India. It also sought responses from the Centre, Maharashtra, and Assam governments on clubbing the FIRs. The next hearing is set for March 3.
With the SC’s fiery remarks and an ongoing legal battle, Allahbadia’s case could set a precedent for comedians and content creators navigating the boundaries of speech, humor, and public outrage in India.
Comedy or crime? A fine line in India
The uproar against Allahbadia is part of a larger pattern where comedians have frequently faced the law for their content. Over the years, stand-up acts, roasts, and even satirical tweets have landed several artists in legal trouble.
- AIB Knockout (2015): This celebrity roast featuring Karan Johar, Ranveer Singh, and Arjun Kapoor triggered FIRs over allegations of obscenity. Political and religious groups slammed it as “pornographic.” The case is still pending in the Bombay High Court.
- Tanmay Bhat (2016): His video mocking Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar invited backlash from the BJP, Shiv Sena, and MNS. Calls for his arrest grew so intense that he had to issue a public apology.
- Kunal Kamra (2020): After tweeting critical remarks about the judiciary, Kamra was hit with contempt of court proceedings. Attorney General K K Venugopal called his comments “in bad taste,” but Kamra responded, “The suggestion that my tweets could shake the foundations of the most powerful court in the world is an over-estimation of my abilities.”
- Munawar Faruqui (2021): Jailed for a month over alleged offensive remarks about Hindu deities, Faruqui was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court. Despite his release, multiple venues canceled his shows following right-wing protests.
Vir Das, Kiku Sharda, and The limits of laughter
Not just YouTubers and stand-up comedians, but even mainstream TV and film personalities have faced the heat.
- Kiku Sharda (2016): The actor was arrested for mimicking Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
- Vir Das (2021): His I Come from Two Indias monologue at the John F Kennedy Center in Washington DC led to a police complaint in India, with critics accusing him of tarnishing the country’s image.
What’s next for Allahbadia?
Despite the temporary relief from the Supreme Court, Allahbadia is still facing multiple FIRs. The case underscores a recurring pattern—where humorists find themselves caught between free speech and legal scrutiny.