The Delhi High Court has instructed the Union government’s Grievance Appellate Committee to make a prompt decision within 15 days regarding an appeal for the removal of a YouTube video by YouTuber Dhruv Rathee. The video titled “Can Hindus eat BEEF? | Kerala Story 2 EXPOSED” is alleged to contain defamatory content and hurt religious sentiments.
Advocate Amita Sachdeva filed a plea seeking the GAC’s direction to decide her appeal against the video uploaded on March 21. The court ordered the appellate authority to expedite the decision within the specified timeframe and warned of consequences for non-compliance.
During the hearing, the Additional Solicitor General representing the Union government argued that the video included disparaging content against Hindu deities, emphasizing the need for intermediaries to exercise due diligence in content moderation. The court directed Google to remove the video voluntarily or face legal action as per previous court rulings.
Google LLC’s counsel assured compliance with judicial orders and informed the court that a response had been provided to the petitioner, with an appeal pending before the GAC. The Delhi High Court disposed of the petition, instructing the GAC to resolve the appeal swiftly within 15 days.
The contentious video allegedly made false claims about revered Hindu figures consuming meat and alcohol, leading to religious sentiments being hurt. The petitioner has also initiated criminal proceedings related to the video before a metropolitan magistrate, seeking police action.
