YouTube Video on Hindu Deities Withheld in India, Global Block Pending
A YouTube video by Dhruv Rathee discussing Hindu deities and dietary habits has been withheld in India following a government order. Global takedown remains pending before the Delhi High Court.
Key takeaways
- A YouTube video by Dhruv Rathee discussing Hindu deities has been withheld in India following a government committee order.
- The decision to withhold the video in India was made by the Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC).
- Google informed the Delhi High Court that global blocking of the video is pending before a division bench.
- The legal action was initiated by advocate Amita Sachdeva over allegations of defamation and offense to religious sentiments.
What Happened
Google informed the Delhi High Court that a YouTube video uploaded by social media influencer Dhruv Rathee has been withheld within India. The video, titled “Can Hindus eat BEEF? Kerala Story 2 Exposed,” was uploaded on March 21 and allegedly contains defamatory content and offends religious sentiments.
The withholding in India is in response to an order from the Union Government's Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC). However, Google stated that a global injunction is pending before a division bench of the High Court, meaning the video has not been blocked worldwide.
Background
The legal action stems from a petition filed by advocate Amita Sachdeva, who also filed a criminal case against Rathee. Sachdeva's grievance centers on the video's discussion of dietary habits mentioned in Hindu scriptures, including claims that ancient texts cite deities like Lord Ram and Lord Krishna consuming meat.
Sachdeva's appeal to the GAC followed a complaint lodged with the Cyber Crime Cell and a subsequent grievance filed with YouTube's Resident Grievance Officer. After YouTube initially stated it could not identify violations of its community guidelines, Sachdeva approached the GAC. The High Court had previously directed the GAC to decide the grievance, and on July 15, the GAC ordered the video's removal within 24 hours.
Key Facts
- A YouTube video by Dhruv Rathee, uploaded on March 21, has been withheld in India.
- The video discusses dietary habits in Hindu scriptures and mentions deities consuming meat.
- The withholding follows an order from the Union Government's Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC).
- Advocate Amita Sachdeva filed the petition and a criminal case against Dhruv Rathee over the video.
- The GAC ordered the video's takedown within 24 hours on July 15.
- Google informed the Delhi High Court on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) that the video is withheld only in India.
- The issue of a global injunction for the video is pending before a division bench of the High Court.
- The court adjourned the matter to September 3 for further hearing.
What Happens Next
The Delhi High Court will hear the matter regarding the global injunction on September 3. The court indicated that further actions concerning worldwide takedown will be determined after the division bench's decision.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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