Advocate Amita Sachdeva’s legal effort yields success
New Delhi – The Grievance Appellate Committee under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has banned YouTuber Dhruv Rathee’s controversial video insulting Hindu deities and directed YouTube to take down the content within 24 hours. The committee noted that the video hurts the religious sentiments of the Hindu community.
On 21 March 2026, a 21-minute video titled ‘Can Hindus eat beef? Exposing The Kerala Story 2’ was published on Dhruv Rathee’s official YouTube channel. The video garnered millions of views and over 400,000 likes.
🚨 BREAKING: Government of India Orders Immediate Takedown of Dhruv Rathee’s (@dhruv_rathee) Video.
The Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC), Ministry of Electronics & IT, Government of India, has passed an Order dated 15 July 2026 (Appeal No. 8321/2026) directing YouTube to… pic.twitter.com/hP4rpGmLVC
— Amita Sachdeva, Advocate (@SachdevaAmita) July 19, 2026
Commenting on the film ‘The Kerala Story 2’, Rathee addressed dietary habits among Hindus in the video. Setting aside the sensitivities surrounding beef consumption, he discussed India’s cultural diversity and social perspectives. Citing ancient scriptures, historical texts, and modern surveys, Rathee claimed that figures from the Ramayana and Mahabharata consumed liquor and the meat of deer and other animals during their period of exile, specifically naming Prabhu Shri Ram, Bhagwan Shri Krishna, and the Pandavas.
Initial complaint filed with YouTube
On 22 March 2026, Advocate Amita Sachdeva filed a formal complaint against the video with the New Delhi Cyber Crime Cell. Subsequently, on March 23, an official complaint was lodged with YouTube’s grievance officer.
YouTube requested additional details and, following an internal review, rejected the complaint on 25 March. The platform maintained that the content did not violate local laws or its community guidelines, advising the complainant to block the video or seek legal recourse if she believed it breached Indian laws.
Petition filed in Delhi High Court
Advocate Sachdeva subsequently filed an appeal with the Grievance Appellate Committee on 27 March 27 2026. After the matter remained pending for over two months, she approached the Delhi High Court through a writ petition. On 3 July 2026, the High Court directed the appellate authority to resolve the matter expeditiously and submit a copy of its order to the court within 15 days.
Rejecting the defence of freedom of expression in matters involving religious sentiments, the committee instructed YouTube to remove the video. It observed that an examination of the content indicated it could hurt the sentiments of a specific community, setting a adverse precedent for society.
Advocate Sachdeva has now filed a application before the Saket Magistrate Court seeking the registration of a criminal case against Rathee. The matter remains pending, with the next hearing scheduled for 10 September 10 2026.
Such matters require swift resolution
Advocate Amita Sachdeva Sharing the order on social media, Advocate Sachdeva described the decision as a step in the right direction, emphasising that faith cannot be mocked under the guise of creative expression. She noted that such matters ought to be resolved promptly, as delays allow millions to view the content, enabling creators to capitalise on controversial material for higher viewership.
- Advocate Amita Sachdeva’s successful legal victory sets a powerful precedent for upholding the dignity of faith against provocative digital content.
- When committed advocates step forward with such conviction, it greatly strengthens the preservation of Dharma.
Delhi High Court sets 15-day ultimatum for action on Dhruv Rathee video insulting Hindu Deities
July 6, 2026
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Delhi High Court directs Central Government on Dhruv Rathee video
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Order passed on the petition of Advocate Amita Sachdeva
New Delhi – The Delhi High Court has directed the Central Government’s Grievance Appellate Committee to take a decision within 15 days on whether to remove a video broadcast by YouTuber Dhruv Rathee concerning Hindu deities. Allegations of defamation and hurting religious sentiments have been levelled against the video.
This order was passed on a petition filed by Advocate Amita Sachdeva against Rathee’s video.
The Hon’ble Delhi High Court today directed the Grievance Appellate Committee to decide our appeal and granted us the liberty to approach the Hon’ble Court again in the event our grievance remains unresolved.
The writ petition sought a direction to the Grievance Appellate… pic.twitter.com/U0JoZBnr7q
— Amita Sachdeva, Advocate (@SachdevaAmita) July 3, 2026
Insult to Hindu Deities will not be tolerated! – Central Government
Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, representing the Central Government, stated in court that the video contains objectionable remarks regarding Hindu Deities which cannot be tolerated. Either the intermediary should remove this video itself, or a court order should be issued to do so.
What is actually in the video?
Smt. Amita Sachdeva has raised an objection to a video uploaded by Dhruv Rathee on 21 March, for insulting Hindu Gods. The title of this video is ‘Can Hindus Eat Beef? Kerala’s Story 2 Exposed’. In this video, Rathee has discussed dietary habits mentioned in Hindu scriptures and made remarks that insult Hindu Deities. He has argued in this video that ancient texts and sages have mentioned the consumption of meat by deities such as Shri Ram and Shri Krishna.
The Delhi High Court directed the Grievance Appellate Committee to decide on the appeal within 15 days and granted the petitioner the liberty to approach the Court again in the event the grievance remains unresolved.
