3 weeks ago
Google Withholds Dhruv Rathee's Video in India; Hearing Adjourned
A popular internet video maker named Dhruv Rathee made a video that some people said said unkind and untrue things about important Hindu gods.
A lawyer named Amita Sachdeva was upset and took the matter to court.
She said the video hurt many people's religious feelings.
The Indian government has a special group called the Grievance Appellate Committee that looks at complaints about online content.
That group told Google to remove the video, and Google owns YouTube, where the video was posted.
Google hid the video in India, which means people in India can no longer watch it.
But the lawyer said hiding it in just one country is not enough, because people in other countries can still see it.
A judge at the Delhi High Court said Google has already done what it can for now.
The judge said the court will talk about this again on September 3, and another group of judges is still deciding whether the video should be blocked everywhere in the world.
Google told the Delhi High Court it has withheld a 'defamatory' YouTube video by influencer Dhruv Rathee in India.
The video, published on March 21, allegedly contained false, misleading and provocative statements insulting Bhagwan Shri Ram, Bhagwan Shri Krishna and Sita Devi.
The Centre's Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) directed Google on July 15 to take down the video within 24 hours.
Petitioner Amita Sachdeva called the India-only withholding 'partial compliance' with the GAC order.
The court adjourned the hearing to September 3, as the global blocking question is pending before a division bench.
- Who
- Lawyer Amita Sachdeva filed the petition; respondent Google owns YouTube; influencer Dhruv Rathee made the video; Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma heard the case.
- What
- Google withheld Dhruv Rathee's YouTube video in India after a Grievance Appellate Committee order, over claims it was defamatory and insulting to Hindu deities.
- Where
- At the Delhi High Court in New Delhi, India.
- When
- The video was published on March 21; the GAC issued its take-down directive on July 15; the court adjourned the hearing to September 3.
- Why
- Sachdeva alleged the video contained false, misleading and provocative statements that hurt religious sentiments.
Petitioner's stance
Google's position
Compliance with the GAC order
Petitioner's stance
Withholding the video only in India is partial compliance; the GAC directed a full takedown within 24 hours, so Google has not fully complied.
Google's position
Whatever Google could do it has already done; the video is withheld in India and the question of global blocking is pending before a division bench of the high court.
Key facts
- Petitioner
- Lawyer Amita Sachdeva
- Respondent
- Google (owner of YouTube)
- Influencer
- Dhruv Rathee
- Video publication date
- March 21
- GAC take-down directive
- July 15, compliance within 24 hours
- Google's action
- Video withheld in India only
- Court
- Delhi High Court (Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma)
- Next hearing
- September 3
Quotes
Amita Sachdeva
Litigating lawyer for the petition
“Sachdeva said that on July 15, the GAC directed Google to take down the video within 24 hours, but it only “withheld the video” in India, which was only “partial compliance”.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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