Indian podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, known as BeerBiceps, is in the midst of a legal controversy after making an inappropriate joke on a YouTube comedy show.
Allahbadia, 31, made the joke during an episode of India’s Got Latent, a comedy show hosted by comedian Samay Raina.
The Controversial Joke
In the show, Allahbadia asked a contestant: “Would you rather watch your parents have sex for the rest of your life or join in once to make it stop?” This comment immediately went viral, with many online criticizing it as crude and offensive.
Who is Ranveer Allahbadia?
Allahbadia began his career as a fitness and lifestyle influencer in 2015. He later transitioned into podcasting in 2019 and gained a massive following, with over 18 million subscribers on YouTube.
Allahbadia has interviewed many famous personalities, including celebrities like Priyanka Chopra and politicians like Nitin Gadkari.
In March 2024, Allahbadia was awarded the ‘Disruptor of the Year’ prize by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the National Creators Award.
The Backlash
Following the viral video, several people criticized Allahbadia’s comment. Journalist Neelesh Misra slammed the content for normalizing perverse behavior.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also spoke out, emphasizing that while freedom of speech is important, it should not come at the expense of others’ dignity.
Congress member Supriya Shrinate called the comment “perverse” and warned that such content should not be normalized. In response to the widespread backlash, police complaints were filed in both Mumbai and Guwahati for promoting obscenity.
Allahbadia’s Apology
Amid the growing controversy, Allahbadia issued an apology on social media. He admitted that his comment was inappropriate and stated, “I shouldn’t have said what I said on India’s Got Latent…
My comment wasn’t even funny.” He assured his audience that he did not want to use his platform to spread offensive content.
Ongoing Investigations
The Mumbai police are currently investigating the matter, and the video featuring the controversial joke was taken down from YouTube after a complaint from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The NHRC also raised concerns about the impact of such content on young audiences.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) called on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to issue guidelines for streaming platforms to prevent the spread of obscene content.
Mixed Reactions
While some have condemned Allahbadia’s joke, others have questioned the disproportionate outrage. YouTuber Dhruv Rathee suggested that the focus should be on pressuring content creators to produce better content, rather than resorting to state censorship.
Veteran journalist Rajdeep Sardesai also pointed out that while Allahbadia had apologized, many other public figures known for hate speech face no consequences.
As the investigation continues, Allahbadia’s career may face long-term effects due to the growing controversy over his distasteful joke.
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