High Court Proceedings on Dhruv Rathee’s Controversial Video
In a recent session at the Delhi High Court, Google revealed that a YouTube video by Dhruv Rathee, which purportedly claims that Hindu deities such as Ram, Seeta, and Krishna consumed meat and alcohol, has been restricted from viewership within India. This action followed a directive from the government’s Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC), a body tasked with reviewing grievances related to online content decisions made by social media platforms and other intermediaries.
Legal Implications and Government’s Role
The withholding of the video comes in response to Advocate Amita Sachdeva’s plea, which highlighted concerns over the content and prompted Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma to urge the government to address the issue within 15 days. Sachdeva informed the court that, despite the restriction, the video remains accessible outside India and can be viewed domestically using a VPN. Consequently, she sought a global takedown of the video.
Google’s Stance and Further Legal Actions
Google’s counsel clarified that the matter of globally removing the content is under consideration by the Division Bench of the High Court. Additionally, Sachdeva pointed out that other YouTubers have re-uploaded the contentious video and requested permission to approach Google for their removal. Google’s legal team opposed this request, arguing that it would necessitate a separate cause of action and recommended filing a distinct plea for each instance.
Government’s Perspective and Future Hearings
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, representing the government, asserted that once a video is flagged and no one contends its appropriateness, the removal order should be universally applicable. He emphasized the need for explicit directions to prevent a protracted process. The court has scheduled the next hearing for September.
Background of the Controversy
The controversial video titled ‘Can Hindus Eat BEEF? | Kerala Story 2 EXPOSED,’ uploaded by Rathee on March 21, 2026, is at the heart of the dispute. Sachdeva argues that the video falsely accuses Hindu deities of consuming meat and alcohol, which she claims is offensive to Hindu beliefs and devotees. Describing the content as “highly derogatory, inflammatory, and communally sensitive,” she asserts that it violates Sections 196, 299, and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
More Read
Ongoing Criminal Proceedings
A criminal complaint filed by Sachdeva regarding the video is also under review in a magistrate court, with the metropolitan magistrate requesting an action taken report from the police. In her complaint, Sachdeva accuses Rathee of deliberately misrepresenting Hindu scriptures, undermining the sanctity of Sanatan Dharma, and inciting communal discord by linking dietary habits to caste and political issues.
