Even as apologies were bandied around and proponents of free speech beat their chests, the Maharashtra Cyber Department filed a police report yesterday against the YouTube reality show ‘India’s Got Latent’, following criticism over inappropriate comments made by social media influencer Ranveer Allahbadia, while a women’s rights panel summoned the people involved.

YouTube, petitioned by the Indian government, promptly blocked the video concerned, which raised heckles all over the country with echoes of the controversy heard in on-going session of parliament too.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Tuesday expressed strong concern over the derogatory comment made by YouTuber Allahbadia and others on comedy show ‘India’s Got Latent’ and summoned them on February 17, various PTI reports from New Delhi and Bhubaneshwar stated.

The commission has taken serious note of the vulgar and offensive remarks made by content creators such as Allahabadia, Samay Raina, Apoorva Makhija, Jaspreet Singh and Ashish Chanchlani, as well as the show’s producers, Tushar Poojari and Saurabh Bothra.

“These comments, which have sparked widespread public outrage, violate the dignity and respect owed to every individual, particularly in a society that upholds equality and mutual respect. In light of this concern, under the instructions of NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, a hearing has been scheduled to address the controversial remark made by the content creators on India’s Got Latent,” the NCW said in a statement.

A day after he hit the spotlight with a comment on parents and sex, trouble mounted for influencer Allahbadia on Tuesday with Mumbai police at his doorstep and YouTube pulling down the episode.

The internet personality, with over 16 million followers across social media platforms, landed in soup after the clip with his comments started making the rounds on social media on Monday and led to massive debate on freedom of speech and what constitutes decency.

Allahbadia tried to defuse the situation by issuing a video apology where he called his comment a “lapse in judgement” but the issue has refused to die down.

The Maharashtra Police also confirmed to PTI that summonses were being sent to about 30 guests who have appeared on the show since its first episode. The department has invoked relevant sections of the IT Act and is pushing for the removal of all 18 episodes of the comedy show.

The investigation revealed that several participants, including judges and guests, used “vulgar and obscene” language throughout the programme. As a result, these individuals have been shortlisted for further scrutiny.

Following Allahbadia’s comments, several complaints were lodged in Mumbai demanding action against him, as well as other prominent social media personalities associated with the show, including Apoorva Mukhija and comedian Samay Raina, over alleged use of abusive language.

Meanwhile, some members of the parliamentary committee on Communications and Information Technology, headed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey, have said they will raise the issue of Allahbadia’s “vulgar” comments at the panel’s meeting scheduled for February 13.

In the show, Allahabadia asked a question to a contestant that he copied from a recent episode of OG Crew’s ‘Truth or Drink’. He had asked: “Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once and stop it forever.”

The question triggered a massive controversy. In a video message on X, Allahbadia issued an apology. “I shouldn’t have said what I said on India’s Got Latent. I’m sorry… My comment wasn’t just inappropriate, it was not even funny. Comedy is not my forte, I am just here to say sorry.”