Ranveer Allahbadia controversy: Top 10 updates on YouTuber's backlash, cancellation, and censure

Ranveer Allahbadia, once celebrated as a leading YouTube content disruptor, has found himself at the epicenter of a social media storm.

Following his incestuous and controversial remarks while judging a recent talent hunt show 'India's Got Latent', the YouTuber and influencer’s reputation now hangs by the proverbial thread.

The crude and offensive nature of his comments has sparked widespread outrage, leading to public calls for his cancellation.

With YouTube removing the controversial video and legal complaints piling up, Allahbadia’s rise as a digital star is now overshadowed by his fall from grace. Here's a look at the top developments since the last 48 hours ...

YouTube removes controversial video:
Following a notice from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and public outcry, YouTube took down the controversial episode of India’s Got Latent. The platform cited violations of its community guidelines on offensive and explicit content.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) intervenes:
NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo formally urged YouTube to act, stating the show violated laws such as the BNS, POCSO Act, and IT Act. The NHRC termed the content as promoting negativity, religious intolerance, and obscenity.

Ranveer Allahbadia issues public apology:
Ranveer Allahbadia addressed the controversy on social media, admitting his mistake and apologizing for his inappropriate remarks. He emphasized that “comedy is not [his] forte” and expressed deep regret for his comments.

Offensive remark sparks outrage:
The controversy erupted after Allahbadia posed an inappropriate and vulgar hypothetical question to a contestant on the show. The nature of the remark, which was widely shared before the video’s removal, was deemed offensive and unsuitable for public entertainment.

Public and Political backlash
The remarks faced condemnation not just from social media users but also from political figures such as Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The political response amplified the calls for action against Allahbadia and his co-hosts.

Legal Complaints filed across States
Multiple FIRs have been registered against Allahbadia under charges of promoting obscenity and violating laws protecting minors and public decency. Police complaints were lodged in states such as Maharashtra and Assam.

Samay Raina and co-Hosts draw criticism:
Host Samay Raina and co-judges Apoorva Mukhija and Ashish Chanchlani have also come under fire for their roles in the episode. Legal action has been demanded against the entire panel for endorsing inappropriate behavior.

YouTube’s strict content moderation:
YouTube’s removal of the video underscores its adherence to strict community guidelines. But is it too late? While, the platform emphasised its zero-tolerance policy for content that promotes obscenity, harassment, or explicit discussions, its selective outrage is now being discussed on social media. Could they have monitored and avoided such an episode through stricter rules is now the big question.

Impact on Allahbadia’s reputation:
Once celebrated for his achievements, including the ‘Disruptor of the Year’ award from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2024, Ranveer Allahbadia’s public image has taken a significant hit. His role as a judge on India’s Got Latent is now under scrutiny, with calls for his removal from the platform. He also lost 2 million subscribers

Debate on the boundaries of comedy:
The incident has reignited discussions about the limits of comedy in public discourse. Critics argue that influencers and content creators must exercise responsibility, especially when addressing sensitive topics on popular platforms.