YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia has found himself in choppy waters after his crass remarks to a contestant on comedian Samay Raina's roast show 'India's Got Latent'. As videos from the episode circulated on social media, separate FIRs were filed in Mumbai and Assam and 30 to 40 individuals associated with the show were charged. Complaints have also been filed against host Raina and influencer Apoorva Makhija, who was also a guest on the show.

The issue was also discussed in Parliament after Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske called for a law to regulate social media. During Zero Hour, Mhaske said there was a need to enact a law to regulate social media platforms where influencers are posting "all kinds of nonsense" in the name of freedom of speech.

Allahbadia, who is a popular YouTuber also known as 'BeerBiceps', apologised for his remark in a video message and called his comment a "lapse in judgement".

What Did Ranveer Allahbadia Say On 'India's Got Latent'?

In an episode which has now been taken down from YouTube, Allahbadia asked a contestant, “Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once to make it stop forever?"

Allahbadia, who enjoys a massive fanbase on YouTube and Instagram, has interviewed guests ranging from Bollywood to ministers like S Jaishankar, Piyush Goyal and Smriti Irani. After the controversy, singer B Praak called off an appearance on the influencer's podcast.

Was Ranveer Allahbadia's Comment Obscene As Per Law?

Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 punishes those who do any obscene act in any public place or sing, recite or utter any obscene song, ballad or words, in or near any public place. 

Though the Mumbai police is yet to register an FIR against comedian Samay Raina, the Assam police registered a complaint against Ranveer Allahbadia, Raina and others, including charges of “obscene acts” under Section 296 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).

Section 294 of the BNS calls for punishment those who sell, import, export, advertise, or profit from obscene material such as books, paintings, and figures and also includes the "display of any content in electronic form", according to The Indian Express. The punishment under Section 294 includes up to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs. 5,000 for first-time offenders.