Allahabad HC to Google, Meta: You have 48 hours to remove 'objectionable' videos against Rambhadracharya

The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has reportedly directed tech giants Meta and Google to remove allegedly defamatory and objectionable videos targeting renowned Ramkatha narrator and Padma Vibhushan awardee Jagadguru Rambhadracharya from their platforms within 48 hours. According to a report by news agency PTI, the order was issued by a division bench comprising Justice Shekhar B Saraf and Justice Prashant Kumar while hearing a petition filed by Sharad Chandra Srivastava and others.

The petition accused Shashank Shekhar , who operates multiple channels on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, of posting derogatory content against Rambhadracharya, the Vice Chancellor of Jagadguru Swami Ram Bhadracharya Divyang University in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh. The videos are alleged to not only defame the spiritual leader but also mock his visual impairment, a disability he has had since childhood.

The court instructed the petitioners to provide the relevant URL links to Meta and Google to expedite the removal process. Despite objections from Rambhadracharya’s followers, the content has reportedly remained online, with no prior action taken by the platforms.

The petitioners also called for stricter regulations by the central and state governments to curb defamatory content on social media. The court was informed that the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities has taken cognizance of the issue and issued a notice to Shekhar, summoning him to appear on October 18. The matter has been scheduled for its next hearing on November 11.