SC asks influencers to apologize for offensive content targeting disabled persons and calls for online accountability
The Supreme Court has said clearly that online shows run by social media influencers do not automatically get free speech protection. It asked five influencers to publicly apologize for ridiculing persons with disabilities. Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said the level of repentance must be higher than the offense caused. They also warned that penalties could be imposed later if influencers offend disabled persons again.
The case started with podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia making vulgar remarks. Later, it included Samay Raina, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakur, and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar. The court pointed out that influencers commercialize their speech. When their content falls under commercial or prohibited categories, they cannot claim free speech protection.
Attorney General R. Venkataramani said he has talked to stakeholders, including the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, to prepare guidelines for online content. He added that this needs careful handling because it involves free speech rights. He also clarified that the government is not planning any “gag order.”
Read More: SC Directs Samay Raina to Issue Public Apology for Mocking Disabled
Justice Kant said the draft guidelines will be shared publicly to get feedback from everyone. He stressed accountability, saying, “Today it is disabled people, but tomorrow it can be women, children, and senior citizens.” Justice Bagchi added that humor is fine, but laughing at others is not. He said guidelines should make people more sensitive and fix responsibility for mistakes, especially in a country with many diverse communities.
The NGO Cure SMA Foundation of India filed the case against these influencers. Senior advocate Aprajita Singh, representing the NGO, said the influencers showed responsibility by giving unconditional apologies. She also noted that this is not just an influencer issue. The Information Technology Rules and the Cinematograph Act clearly state that persons with disabilities cannot be targeted or mocked.
This ruling is a big deal for online content. The Supreme Court showed that free speech has its limits, especially when it can hurt vulnerable people. Influencers now have to be careful and make sure their content doesn’t offend or target anyone.
