Dhruv Rathee’s video allegedly disparaging deities withheld, Google tells HC

Google disclosed to the Delhi high court on Tuesday that it withheld a video created by YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in India due to allegations that it disparaged Hindu deities. The decision to remove the video was directed by the government’s online dispute resolution body on July 15. However, the platform informed the court that the video remains unremoved globally as the matter is still under consideration by a division bench.

The Grievance Appellate Committee had ordered the removal of the video months after Rathee uploaded it on March 21. This came as the court heard lawyer Amita Sachdeva's plea asking for directions to remove the video. Sachdeva argued that the committee had ordered the video's removal on July 15, but Google had not complied with the directive. She claimed that the video contained harmful content, describing it as hurtful and defamatory, as Rathee allegedly claimed that Hindu gods consumed meat and alcohol.

The petition for the removal of the video was first heard by the court on July 3, when the high court directed the government to decide within 15 days regarding the petition seeking the video's removal. Sachdeva also filed a complaint against Rathee in a Delhi court, alleging that the video insulted Sanatan Dharma, distorted Hindu scriptures, spread anti-Hindu sentiment, and incited religious disharmony. All of these actions are described by Sachdeva as grave offenses that require immediate attention.