Google Withheld Dhruv Rathee Video in India After Government Order Over Deity Disparagement Claims

Google has informed the Delhi High Court that it withheld a video by Indian YouTuber Dhruv Rathee within India following a directive from the government's online dispute resolution body to remove it for allegedly disparaging Hindu deities. The platform stated that the video could not be removed globally as the issue is still pending before a division bench.

The Grievance Appellate Committee issued its order for the video's removal on July 15, several months after Rathee uploaded it on March 21. Google's submission came as the court heard a plea from lawyer Amita Sachdeva, who sought directions for the video's removal, alleging that Google had failed to comply with the committee's order.

Sachdeva described the video as harmful, hurtful, and defamatory, asserting that Rathee allegedly claimed Hindu gods consumed meat and alcohol. Her petition also stated that the video insulted Sanatan Dharma, distorted Hindu scriptures, spread anti-Hindu sentiment, and incited religious disharmony, constituting grave offenses. The court is scheduled to hear her petition again on September 3.

The committee's order followed a July 3 directive from the high court, which instructed the government to decide on the petition seeking the video's removal within 15 days. Sachdeva has also filed a separate complaint against Rathee in a Delhi court, seeking the registration of a case.