1 week ago
Delhi High Court Seeks Review of Sai Baba Videos
The Shirdi Sai Baba temple trust says some YouTube videos make hurtful and false claims about Sai Baba and the trust.
It asked officials to have the videos removed.
A Delhi court told a government committee to examine the complaints.
The committee had already ordered some videos and articles to be taken down.
The trust says not everything has been removed.
The committee warned that the material could hurt religious feelings and affect harmony between communities.
YouTube said it could not decide whether the claims were true.
The court will consider the matter again on September 7.
The Delhi High Court asked the Grievance Appellate Committee to consider complaints seeking removal of allegedly inflammatory YouTube videos about Shirdi Sai Baba.
The Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust said some derogatory videos and articles remained online despite an earlier removal order.
The committee had ordered removal of certain content on August 13, saying it could hurt religious sentiments and communal harmony.
The Trust alleged the videos made false and defamatory claims about Sai Baba and the temple trust.
YouTube said it could not determine whether the postings were true and directed the Trust to approach the uploaders or a court.
- Who
- The Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, the Grievance Appellate Committee, YouTube, Google LLC, and the Delhi High Court are involved.
- What
- The court asked the Grievance Appellate Committee to consider complaints seeking removal of allegedly inflammatory and derogatory YouTube videos and related articles.
- Where
- The proceedings are before the Delhi High Court, while the disputed content concerns Shirdi Sai Baba and the temple in Shirdi, Maharashtra.
- When
- The court issued its direction on Thursday; the committee’s earlier removal order was dated August 13, and the case was listed for September 7.
- Why
- The Trust says the content is false, defamatory, inflammatory, and harmful to religious sentiments and communal harmony.
Removal Advocates
Platform and Content-Dispute Position
Whether the content should be removed
Removal Advocates
The Trust says the videos contain false, defamatory, derogatory, and communally provocative allegations that hurt devotees’ religious sentiments and could create disharmony.
Platform and Content-Dispute Position
YouTube said it was not in a position to determine whether the postings were true and did not remove them solely on the basis of allegations, directing the Trust to the uploaders or a court.
Scope of earlier action
Removal Advocates
The Trust argues that the earlier order did not result in removal of all objectionable videos and articles, so further action is needed.
Platform and Content-Dispute Position
The Centre’s counsel told the court that the Grievance Appellate Committee had already passed an August 13 order directing removal of certain videos and articles.
Key facts
- Petitioner
- Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi
- Court
- Delhi High Court
- Committee
- Centre’s Grievance Appellate Committee
- Earlier order
- The committee ordered removal of certain videos and articles on August 13.
- Trust’s allegation
- Some allegedly objectionable content remains accessible online.
- YouTube’s position
- The platform said it could not adjudicate the veracity of postings and directed the Trust to the uploaders or a court.
- Next listing
- September 7
Quotes
Senior advocate Pramod Dubey
Advocate representing the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust
“the impugned content has the tendency to hurt religious sentiments detrimental to communal harmony and if allowed to continue in this manner, it will soon spread like a pandemic with wide uncontrollable repercussions”
rediff.com
YouTube
Social media platform's policy statement
“YouTube refused to remove the content on the grounds that it is 'not in a position to adjudicate upon the veracity of postings and does not remove video postings upon allegations'.”
rediff.com
Sources
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