Comedian Samay Raina, on Wednesday, revealed that he has removed all India’s Got Latent videos from his YouTube channel, stating the backlash for the show had become too intense for him. His move comes amid increasing criticism for YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia’s insensitive remarks on a recent episode.
Raina, who has been summoned by the Maharashtra Cyber Department, reaffirmed that his only purpose was to entertain. “All that has been happening has been too much for me. All the India’s Got Latent videos have been removed from my channel. My only intention was to make people smile and enjoy themselves. I will fully cooperate with all agencies so their probes are closed fairly,” he wrote on X.
The furore erupted after videos of Allahbadia’s remarks on parents and sex went viral, attracting widespread criticism and calls for action. Allahbadia, who has a following of more than 16 million on social media, subsequently posted a video apology, acknowledging a “lapse in judgment” and admitting that “comedy is not his strength.”
The furore has led to a larger debate on freedom of speech and decency in public discourse. The Maharashtra Cyber Department has registered a First Information Report (FIR) under sections of the Information Technology Act applicable in the context. Notices have been issued to Allahbadia and other contestants on the show, including judges and guests who appeared on earlier episodes.
The details of the controversy surfaced on Wednesday with the authorities stating the show had used obscene and profane language in the past, leading the authorities to request the producers of the show to remove all 18 episodes from the web. The probe is ongoing.
