NEW DELHI: A crude joke on India’s Got Latent, a show hosted by comedian Samay Raina, has landed YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia—popularly known as BeerBiceps—into legal trouble. His comment about parents and sex, which went viral on February 10, sparked public outrage and multiple FIRs against him and fellow comedians Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh, and Apoorva Makhija.
Even as the Supreme Court shielded Allahbadia from immediate arrest on Tuesday, the judges did not hold back their criticism. “This is vulgarity. You have a dirty mind,” the bench observed, making it clear that legal immunity did not equate to moral approval.
Comedy or crime? A fine line in India
The uproar against Allahbadia is part of a larger pattern where comedians have frequently faced the law for their content. Over the years, stand-up acts, roasts, and even satirical tweets have landed several artists in legal trouble.
- AIB Knockout (2015): This celebrity roast featuring Karan Johar, Ranveer Singh, and Arjun Kapoor triggered FIRs over allegations of obscenity. Political and religious groups slammed it as “pornographic.” The case is still pending in the Bombay High Court.
- Tanmay Bhat (2016): His video mocking Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Tendulkar invited backlash from the BJP, Shiv Sena, and MNS. Calls for his arrest grew so intense that he had to issue a public apology.
- Kunal Kamra (2020): After tweeting critical remarks about the judiciary, Kamra was hit with contempt of court proceedings. Attorney General K K Venugopal called his comments “in bad taste,” but Kamra responded, “The suggestion that my tweets could shake the foundations of the most powerful court in the world is an over-estimation of my abilities.”
- Munawar Faruqui (2021): Jailed for a month over alleged offensive remarks about Hindu deities, Faruqui was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court. Despite his release, multiple venues canceled his shows following right-wing protests.
Vir Das, Kiku Sharda, and The limits of laughter
Not just YouTubers and stand-up comedians, but even mainstream TV and film personalities have faced the heat.
- Kiku Sharda (2016): The actor was arrested for mimicking Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
- Vir Das (2021): His I Come from Two Indias monologue at the John F Kennedy Center in Washington DC led to a police complaint in India, with critics accusing him of tarnishing the country’s image.
What’s next for Allahbadia?
Despite the temporary relief from the Supreme Court, Allahbadia is still facing multiple FIRs. The case underscores a recurring pattern—where humorists find themselves caught between free speech and legal scrutiny.
