Mumbai: Trouble is escalating for influencer and YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia after Mumbai Police briefly visited his residence in connection with the controversy surrounding his comments on the YouTube show India's Got Latent. The police visted shortly after Allahbadia along with comedian Samay Raina were summoned for questioning over the vulgar remarks made during the show. 

The controversial remarks that sparked outrage

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The controversy erupted after Allahbadia, who is popularly known for his YouTube channel Beer Biceps, commented on the show India's Got Latent. In a segment of the reality show, which is known for its edgy content, Allahbadia posed a question to a contestant that involved parents and sex. This remark, widely regarded as offensive, has since gone viral and drawn widespread criticism across social media platforms.

Many politicians, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and opposition leaders, were quick to criticise Allahbadia, calling out the misuse of freedom of speech. The incident led to a formal police complaint being lodged by a BJP functionary, accusing the creators, judges, and participants of the show of promoting obscenity.

Allahbadia’s apology and public backlash

In the wake of the outrage, Allahbadia took to social media to issue a public apology. In a video posted on X, the influencer admitted that his comment was not only inappropriate but also failed to elicit the intended humour. 

"Comedy is not my forte. Just here to say sorry," Allahbadia said in the video. He further added that he had asked the makers of the show to remove the insensitive segment and promised to be more responsible with his platform moving forward. "Family is the last thing that I would ever disrespect. Need to use this platform better and that's been my learning from this whole experience," he added.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, while not having seen the clip himself, cautioned about the limits of freedom of speech, saying, "Everyone has the freedom of speech but our freedom ends when we encroach upon the freedom of others." He also emphasised that action should be taken if such content violates the boundaries of social decency.

The controversy did not stop with politicians. Writer and storyteller Neelesh Misra shared the controversial clip with a scathing post on his X handle, calling the creators behind the show "perverted." Several public figures joined in the chorus, with Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate condemning the comments as perverse and harmful. 

Shiv Sena leader Raju Waghmare also weighed in, saying such language is unacceptable in the state of Maharashtra, which holds a deep cultural and historical significance. “We warn him. We should not misuse the right of Freedom of Speech. Shiv Sena won't tolerate it,” he stated.

Industry response and growing concerns

The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) also joined the backlash, condemning Allahbadia’s remarks as "reprehensible and offensive." The AICWA issued a statement that read, "Such disgraceful content is utterly unacceptable and poses a significant threat to the moral fabric of our society." They also demanded an "immediate ban" on the show along with legal action against those involved.

While Allahbadia has apologised and vowed to make better use of his platform, the controversy continues to unfold. Mumbai Police have summoned both Allahbadia and Samay Raina for questioning, and the case is ongoing.