A recent episode of India’s Got Latent, one of India’s biggest digital shows, has stirred a nationwide debate after host Ranveer Allahbadia (known as BeerBiceps) made comments that many found inappropriate. Within hours, the incident snowballed from social media discussions to legal complaints, drawing reactions from across the spectrum of Indian society.
Let’s look at how different voices responded to the situation:
Nikhil Taneja, the co-founder of We Are Yuvaa, expressed concern about the rapid escalation, “We have become a Banana Republic,” he remarked, questioning why police cases were filed in both Mumbai and Guwahati over a distasteful joke.
Veteran journalist Rajdeep Sardesai drew attention to a broader context, wondering why similar swift reactions aren’t seen when it comes to hate speech that threatens communal harmony.
I see lots of people up in arms over @BeerBicepsGuy obscene remarks including politicians and public figures. I wish many of them would speak up when hate speech aimed at inciting mistrust and violence between communities is being ‘normalised’. Ranveer’s remarks were wholly…
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) February 10, 2025
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi took a firm stance, emphasising that having a platform doesn’t grant unlimited freedom of expression. As a member of the I&B Ministry’s standing committee, she announced plans to raise this issue formally.
VIDEO | On row over YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia’s remarks at ‘India’s Got Latent’ show, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) says: “Any abusive language in the name of comedy content crosses limits is not acceptable to the country… What level are we stooping… pic.twitter.com/zqU9SuUyZC
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 10, 2025
Actress Ayesha Khan offered a different perspective, questioning the proportionality of the response: “Only if there was similar outrage for problems bigger than this in the country,” she noted, pointing to issues like infrastructure and pollution.
CA Finalist Ankit Singh shared a more conciliatory view on LinkedIn, suggesting that one mistake shouldn’t erase years of positive content creation and advocating for understanding and forgiveness alongside criticism.
Here’s what Ranveer had to say after the controversy:
Responding to the backlash, Ranveer posted an apology on LinkedIn, acknowledging his mistake and expressing regret over his comments.
As this incident continues to spark discussions across the country, it raises important questions about comedy, responsibility, and proportional response in our digital age. Where do we draw the line between creative expression and accountability?
Edited by Leila Badyari Castelino
