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Why was Dhruv Rathee’s YouTube video blocked in India? Google tells Delhi High Court what happened next…
Google informed the Delhi High Court that it complied with the Grievance Appellate Committee’s order by restricting the video in India, while the petitioner continues to seek a worldwide ban.
New Delhi: Google has informed the Delhi High Court that a YouTube video uploaded by Dhruv Rathee was withheld in India following a directive issued by the Central Government’s Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC).
The matter was heard on Tuesday before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, after advocate Amita Sachdeva sought action against the video, alleging that it contained offensive remarks about Hindu deities and hurt religious sentiments.
The controversial video, uploaded by Rathee on March 21, garnered millions of views before access was restricted in India. In the video, Rathee discussed references to food habits and dietary practices mentioned in Hindu scriptures, including claims regarding Lord Ram, Lord Krishna, and Sita, which sparked widespread debate online.
According to Sachdeva, the video is derogatory, inflammatory, and capable of disturbing communal harmony. She alleged that Rathee had distorted Hindu scriptures and “mocked the sanctity of Sanatan Dharma.” Apart from approaching the High Court, she has also filed a criminal complaint against the YouTuber before a magistrate.
The legal battle intensified after YouTube initially declined to remove the video. Sachdeva challenged the decision before the Grievance Appellate Committee, prompting the Delhi High Court on July 3 to direct the committee to decide her plea within 15 days.
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Following the court’s direction, the GAC issued an order on July 15, instructing Google to take action against the video within 24 hours. Google told the court that it had complied by making the video unavailable to viewers in India.
However, Sachdeva argued that restricting access only within India amounts to partial compliance. She contended that users can still watch the video through Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and has therefore sought a global takedown of the content.
Responding to the submissions, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed that Google had already taken all the action it could under the committee’s order. “Whatever they could do, they have already done,” the judge remarked during the hearing.
Google also informed the court that the demand for a worldwide removal of the video is already pending before a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court.
The High Court has now adjourned the matter to September 3, when the case is expected to be heard further.
The case has once again brought attention to the ongoing debate over online content moderation, religious sensitivities, and the extent of digital platforms’ responsibilities in complying with government directives and court orders.
