The crass statements made by YouTube host Ranveer Allahbadia, who goes by the name of Beer Biceps, have caused outrage among the general public. The police too is after him and the Supreme Court, while giving him some relief, has made strong statements against him. But does the state have any business to go after him.
Amit Varma, a veteran podcaster who also runs a YouTube show, thinks not. Describing himself as a ‘free speech absolutist”, Varma says unless there is direct incitement to violence, no one should be prevented from saying what they want to.
“The principle of free speech should matter. But Article 19 (2) of the Constitution talks about decency and morality-who interprets them” he asks, in a podcast interview with Sidharth Bhatia. He says he is not so worried about politicians or the courts as much as society. “As Ambedkar said, “a liberal Constitution was imposed over an illiberal society.”
