Dhruv Rathee’s Video On Hindu Gods Eating Meat Withheld In India On Centre's Order: Google Informs Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court was informed on Tuesday that a YouTube video by Dhruv Rathee, which allegedly contains remarks about Hindu deities Ram, Sita and Krishna consuming meat and alcohol, has been withheld from viewers in India following an order passed by the government's Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC).

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma was hearing a plea filed by Advocate Amita Sachdeva concerning the video, which was uploaded by Rathee on YouTube on March 21, 2026, with the title “Can Hindus Eat BEEF? | Kerala Story 2 EXPOSED".

Counsel appearing for Google informed the Court that the video was withheld in India pursuant to the GAC's order. The GAC is the government-established appellate mechanism through which users can appeal against decision of the grievance officer of the social media intermediaries and other online intermediaries regarding complaints about online content or accounts.

During Tuesday's hearing, Advocate Sachdeva submitted that although the video is no longer available for viewing in India through the platform, it can still be accessed outside the country and by users in India through a VPN. She therefore sought directions for global removal of the video.

In response, Google informed the Court that the question concerning global removal of online content is already pending consideration before a Division Bench of the High Court.

Sachdeva also sought permission to approach Google regarding copies of the same video uploaded by other YouTubers, seeking their removal as well.

Google opposed this request, arguing that videos uploaded by other users would give rise to separate causes of action and would therefore require separate proceedings.

Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, appearing for the government, submitted that once objection had been raised against the particular content and the authorities had found the objection sustainable, the direction should have wider application to avoid repeated proceedings concerning identical material.

The Court, however, did not pass any immediate direction on the broader reliefs sought and adjourned the matter to September 3.

Sachdeva's plea had objected to Rathee's video in which, according to her, statements were made suggesting that Ram, Sita and Krishna consumed meat and alcohol.

She had alleged that “derogatory, inflammatory, and communally sensitive video” was made by influencer Dhruv Rathee offensive to Hindu religious beliefs.

Separately, Advocate Sachdeva has also initiated proceedings for the registration of an FIR against Rathee under Sections 196, 299 and 302 of the BNS.

Last month, the Delhi HC had directed the Centre to decide within two weeks whether to remove YouTuber Dhruv Rathee’s video in which he claimed that certain Hindu gods ate meat, triggering controversy.

The centre had, however, claimed that social media intermediaries such as Google are empowered to block content even without any government order.

Sachdeva had first approached YouTube's Resident Grievance Officer under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules. The grievance officer, however, said no violation of community guidelines could be identified. This prompted Sachdeva to appeal to the GAC in March this year.

Case Title: Amita Sachdeva v Union of India and Ors