In a striking move, the Supreme Court of India sharply criticized comedian Samay Raina for speaking publicly about the ongoing controversy surrounding his show, India’s Got Latent, while on his tour in Canada. During Monday’s hearing, Justice Surya Kant reprimanded the younger generation for what he described as an “oversmart” attitude, highlighting the tendency of individuals like Raina to act with a sense of impunity when it comes to sensitive legal matters.
Referring to Raina’s comments abroad, Justice Kant remarked, “These young and oversmart ones think they know more than this…One of them went to Canada and spoke about all this.” Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, concurred, asserting that Raina’s lighthearted remarks about the controversy while abroad were disrespectful to the legal proceedings. Justice Kant warned the young YouTubers, adding, “Behave, or else we know how to deal with you,” signaling the court’s firm stance on the issue.
Raina had sparked this legal storm after a light-hearted remark during his Samay Raina Unfiltered show in Canada last month. In his first comment on stage, he joked with the audience, “Thanks for paying my lawyer’s fees,” referring to the legal backlash stemming from the controversial episode of India’s Got Latent featuring YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia.
The uproar began when Allahbadia, also known as The BeerBiceps Guy, made crude remarks about parents and sex on Raina’s show. His comments sparked widespread outrage and ignited a debate in Parliament, leading to numerous complaints and legal cases against the YouTubers involved, including Raina himself, Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Mukhija. The video was swiftly removed from YouTube, and Raina later issued a statement expressing his full cooperation with authorities, removing all content related to the show. Allahbadia, too, issued an apology, acknowledging that his comments were not just inappropriate, but also lacked humor.
Despite the controversy, the Supreme Court offered some leniency toward Allahbadia, lifting the ban on him shooting further episodes of his podcast, The Ranveer Show. In its ruling, the court emphasized the need to find a balance between morality and freedom of expression, underscoring the importance of maintaining both while considering the implications of digital content.
The court’s ruling also highlighted the broader issue at hand—the increasing presence of digital content creators and influencers, and the challenges of regulating such content without stifling creativity. In light of the incident, the Supreme Court urged the Centre to develop a set of guidelines that could better govern digital platforms, ensuring that they adhere to appropriate standards while protecting freedom of expression.
This saga serves as a cautionary tale for the new generation of digital influencers. While their platforms offer immense reach, they also come with significant responsibility. The court’s rebuke of Raina and the ongoing scrutiny of YouTubers involved in the controversy underscore a growing need for accountability in an era where the boundaries between entertainment, freedom, and respect are often blurred.
