Google: Rathee's YouTube clip 'defamatory', blocked in India
Delhi's High Court heard Google's response to a petition alleging that a YouTube video by social media influencer Dhruv Rathee was defamatory and should be blocked in India. The influencer's video, uploaded on March 21, contained statements that allegedly insulted Hindu deities Lord Ram, Lord Krishna, and Goddess Sita. The video garnered millions of views before the Center's grievance appellate committee directed Google to remove it within 24 hours on July 15.
Despite the platform's failure to comply, Google informed the court that it had withheld the video in India due to a directive from the committee. The petitioner, advocate Amita Sachdeva, argued that this was only partial compliance. Sachdeva claimed that Rathee's video contained false, misleading, and provocative statements. The issue of global blocking the video was still pending before a division bench of the High Court.
After being informed that Google had already taken steps to remove the video, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma adjourned the hearing to September 3.
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