Ranveer Allahbadia caught up in controversy over his remarks on parents, YouTuber apologises
New Delhi: Influencer Ranveer Allahbadia has apologised for his controversial remark that led to many calling out for a ban on his podcast and politicians, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and opposition leaders of the state, criticising him for exploiting freedom of speech.
Allahbadia -- who has over 600,000 followers on X, 4.5 million on Instagram and 10.5 million subscribers on his YouTube channel -- became one of the trending topics on social media after his comment on Samay Raina's YouTube reality show "India's Got Latent" gained traction.
On the comedy reality show, popular among today's youth for its edgy bordering on offensive content, Allahbadia asked a question to a contestant on parents and sex, which has been panned by many and led to police complaints.
In an apology video on X on Monday, Allahbadia admitted that his comment was not only inappropriate, but also not funny.
"Comedy is not my forte. Just here to say sorry," the YouTuber, popularly known as BeerBiceps, said in the video.
"Many of you asked if this is how I wish to use my platform. Obviously, this is not how I wish to use my platform. I am not going to give any context, justification or reasoning behind whatever happened. I am just here for an apology. I, personally, had a lapse in judgement. It wasn't cool on my part."
The social media influencer, who has been criticised for setting a bad example for the youth who are his primary audience, said he doesn't want to be the kind of person who takes responsibility lightly.
"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. I promise to just get better. Have asked the makers of the video to remove the insensitive sections from the video and all I can say in the end is sorry. I hope you can forgive me as a human being," he said.
Maharashtra CM Fadnavis said though he hasn't seen the clip in question, he cautioned people about the limits of freedom of speech.
"Everyone has the freedom of speech but our freedom ends when we encroach upon the freedom of others... In our society, we have made some rules, it is absolutely wrong if someone violates them. Action should be taken against them," Fadnavis told reporters in Mumbai on Monday.
Writer-storyteller Neelesh Misra shared the controversial clip from the show on his X page, with his caption beginning with: "Meet the perverted creators who are shaping our country's creative economy."
Allahbadia was one of the online content creators who last year received a National Creators Award from Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an event in New Delhi. In the past, the podcaster partnered with the Digital India Corporation to interview a series of Cabinet Ministers.
Referring to Raina's show, Misra said this content is not designated as adult content.
"It can be seen with ease even by a child if the algorithm takes him or her there. The creators or the platform have zero sense of responsibility... Banal, crass, insensitive are words only for boring uncool people. These creators can say anything in the name of freedom of speech and get away with it," he further wrote.
Sharing Misra's post, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said: "This isn’t creative. It’s pervert. And we can’t normalise perverse behaviour as cool. The fact that this sick comment met loud applause must worry us all."
Shiv Sena leader Raju Waghmare said using such language in the state of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was unacceptable.
"We warn him. We should not misuse the right of Freedom of Speech. Shiv Sena won’t tolerate it," Waghmare told PTI.
A user on X said Allahbadia doesn't deserve to be "respected and followed".
"So unfollowing will be a msg to him. Pls take a social act against the bad social star. Spread it. #Beerbiceps."
Another said she has unsubscribed both Allahbadia and Raina.
One said influencers like Raina and Allahabadia are influencing youth negatively and distorting India's cultural values.
"Let's promote content that respects our heritage. #BeerBiceps #RanveerAllahbadia l #indiasgotlatent," she said.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
