New Delhi:

Social media channels and OTT websites were warned Thursday to follow the Code of Ethics prescribed in the IT Rules (2021) and ensure critical self-regulation, as well as implement “access control for ‘A’ rated content” to avoid children consuming inappropriate content.

The notification from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry comes amid a row over ‘obscene’ remarks made by podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia during an episode of stand-up comedy show ‘India’s Got Latent’. The episode in question was on YouTube till the government ordered its removal.

The notification stated it had received complaints about the “spread of obscene, pornographic, and vulgar content by certain publishers of online curated content (OTT platforms) and social media”.

The government stressed that the law requires OTT platforms to “not transmit any content which is prohibited by law (and) undertake age-based classification of content”.

“Further, the Rules provide that self-regulatory bodies of OTT platforms shall oversee and ensure alignment and adherence by the OTT platforms to the Code of Ethics,” the notification said.

“In view of the above it is advised OTT platforms adhere to various provisions of applicable laws, and Code of Ethics prescribed under IT Rules, 2021 while publishing content on platforms, including stricter adherence of age-based classification of content prescribed under Code of Ethics,” the notification said.

The notification also followed sharp questions from the Supreme Court this week, as it heard a plea by Mr Allahbadia to club the police cases (two, so far) that have been filed against him.

A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh came down hard on Mr Allahbadia, also known as ‘BeerBiceps guy’ on Instagram, for his comment about parents and sex, and asked the centre if it is planning to take steps to regulate “obscene” content online.

READ | “Dirt On Mind”: Court Relief But Scathing Rebuke For Allahbadia

The court also said it would not “leave a vacuum” and that it would take action if needed.

“Union of India is a party… We would like to do something. Government of India will willingly do it, we will be very happy. Otherwise, we are not going to leave this vacuum. The way it is being misused by so-called YouTube channels… we have issued notice…” the court said.

READ | “Won’t Leave Vacuum”: Top Court On ‘Obscene’ Content Online

After the court’s questions to the centre, a parliamentary panel had asked the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to submit a note on the efficacy of existing laws in dealing with such cases, and suggest amendments needed to bring online platforms under required legal scrutiny.

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Mumbai:

Mumbai and Guwahati police went looking for Ranveer Allahbadia, aka ‘the BeerBiceps guy’, on Friday – the podcaster who faces charges of obscenity and offending public morality, and is under fire for crass comments while appearing on an episode of ‘India’s Got Latent’, a stand-up comedy show.

But he was not to be found at his Mumbai residence; the apartment was locked.

A police officer told news agency PTI that Mumbai law enforcement had initiated an inquiry and went to the apartment, in the city’s Versova neighbourhood, to question him.

On Thursday, Allahbadia had been asked to report to the police station in Mumbai’s Khar to record his statement. However, he later requested that this be done at his home.

That request was denied. And, after he failed to appear, the cops issued a second summons and then landed up at his home, in which trip they were joined by colleagues from Guwahati.

The cops from Assam wanted to question Allahbadia in a case filed by a city resident, who had accused the podcaster of promoting obscene content on an online platform available to all.

Faced with the locked door, both police teams returned to the Khar Police Station.

However, while Allahbadia was not available for questioning, his legal representative – Abhinav Chandrachud, the son of former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud – approached the Supreme Court to seek relief from the many cases; Allahbadia has asked for these to be clubbed.

READ | Ranveer Allahbadia Goes To Supreme Court Over Multiple FIRs

An early hearing was requested, but Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna said ‘no’, pointing out a date had already been assigned. He also sought anticipatory bail – to ward off the Guwahati Police.

The Guwahati case was filed on Monday and also names Samay Raina, the stand-up comic who hosts the ‘India’s Got Latent’ show. Raina has also been summoned by Mumbai Police and Maharashtra’s Cyber Department, which is conducting an independent investigation. He had been told to appear within five days, but has asked for more time, stating he is currently in the United States.

READ | Comedian Samay Raina Summoned Again, But Says He’s In US

So far Mumbai Police (i.e., the cops from Khar), acting on a complaint from a BJP functionary, have recorded the statements of seven individuals; these include Apoorva Makhija, a YouTube personality who was on the show, and Ashish Chanchalani, another social media influencer.

However, no case has been filed so far.

The statement of one Pratham Sagar, the show’s video editor, will also be recorded.

Meanwhile, the Cyber Department has summoned at least 50 people so far. This includes film personality Raghu Ram, who was one of the judges on the episode in question.

Allahbadia Apologises

After the row broke, Allahbadia offered an apology and blamed a lapse in judgement.

“My comment wasn’t just inappropriate… it was not even funny. Comedy is not my forte, I am just here to say sorry,” he said in a video message. The podcaster said this was not how he wished to use his platform. “I am not going to give any context or justification or reasoning behind whatever happened. I am just here for an apology. I personally had a lapse in judgement. It wasn’t cool on my part,” he said.

Parliament, NCW Involved 

The apology failed to stem the tide of criticism, which even included sharp comments from MPs.

READ | Ranveer Allahbadia Faces Parliament Summons Over Crass Remarks

The parliamentary panel on Information and Communications Technology has asked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to submit a detailed note on the matter by February 17.

READ | Women’s Body Summons Ranveer Allahbadia Over Crass Remark

Allahbadia and others have also been summoned by the National Commission for Women, which declared his remark violate the dignity and respect owed to every individual.

With input from agencies

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