Google withheld a video of YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in India over allegations that it disparaged Hindu deities after the government’s online dispute resolution body directed its removal on July 15, the platform informed the Delhi high court on Tuesday. It told a bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma that the video could not be removed globally as the issue remains pending before a division bench.
The Grievance Appellate Committee directed the video’s removal months after Rathee uploaded it on March 21.
Google’s submission on Tuesday came as the court heard lawyer Amita Sachdeva’s plea seeking directions for the removal of the video. In her plea, Sachdeva said the committee had ordered the video’s removal on July 15, but Google had failed to comply with the direction.
She claimed that the video contained harmful content. Sachdeva called it hurtful and defamatory, since Rathee allegedly said that Hindu gods had meat and alcohol. Her petition will be next heard on September 3.
The committee’s order came after the high court on July 3 directed the government to decide within 15 days the petition seeking removal of Rathee’s video.
Sachdeva also filed a complaint against Rathee in a Delhi court seeking registration of a case. She alleged that the video insulted Sanatan Dharma, distorted Hindu scriptures, spread anti-Hindu sentiment, and incited religious disharmony, all of which are grave offences requiring urgent attention.
{{/usCountry}}Sachdeva also filed a complaint against Rathee in a Delhi court seeking registration of a case. She alleged that the video insulted Sanatan Dharma, distorted Hindu scriptures, spread anti-Hindu sentiment, and incited religious disharmony, all of which are grave offences requiring urgent attention.
{{/usCountry}}