Maharashtra cyber police summon celebrities over 'India’s Got Latent' controversy

The Maharashtra Cyber Police have issued summons to comedian Tanmay Bhat, actor Rakhi Sawant, internet personality Uorfi Javed, actor Siddhant Chaturvedi, and several others following an FIR linked to Ranveer Allahbadia’s controversial remark on the show India’s Got Latent, hosted by Samay Raina.

Controversial Remarks Spark Legal Action

The controversy erupted after Ranveer Allahbadia asked a contestant an inappropriate question: “Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once to stop it forever?” The remark sparked widespread outrage, leading to legal repercussions. Allahbadia later issued a public apology, calling it a "lapse in judgment," but the backlash has continued to grow.

30 Individuals Booked in FIR

Authorities have booked 30 individuals connected to the show, including artists, judges, participants, and organizers, over the alleged use of foul and inappropriate language. The FIR also references a controversial remark made by a contestant about people from Arunachal Pradesh eating dogs, further intensifying the backlash.

Summoned Personalities and Featured Guests

Those summoned include social media figures Deepak Kalal, Apoorva Mukhija, and comedian Samay Raina. India’s Got Latent has featured numerous well-known comedians and entertainers, including Amit Tandon, Neeti Palta, Maheep Singh, Ashish Solanki, Vipul Goyal, Nishant Tanwar, Sonali Thakker, Bharti Singh, Haarsh Limbachiyaa, and model Poonam Pandey.

Government and Public Reactions

The controversy has even reached Parliament, where Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske has called for stricter regulations on social media content. Meanwhile, Mumbai Police have recorded statements from four individuals, including Apoorva Mukhija and Ranveer Allahbadia’s manager, as part of their ongoing investigation.

Legal Proceedings and Content Removal Requests

The Cyber Police filed the FIR suo moto in response to public outrage and have booked the case under relevant sections of the IT Act. Authorities have also requested the removal of all episodes of India’s Got Latent from streaming platforms due to the show's alleged engagement in “vulgar and obscene” conversations.

With investigations underway, the controversy surrounding India’s Got Latent continues to make headlines, raising questions about the boundaries of humor and responsible content creation in the digital age.