Dhruv Rathee video on Hindu deities blocked in India following central government order, Google tells Delhi High Court

A YouTube video by high-profile content creator Dhruv Rathee discussing the dietary habits mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures has been restricted in India following an order from the central government, tech giant Google informed the Delhi High Court on Tuesday.

Legal counsel representing Google told Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma that access to the video within Indian jurisdiction had been blocked pursuant to directions issued by the Union government's Grievance Appellate Committee. The regulatory intervention followed a petition filed by lawyer Amita Sachdeva, who alleged that the content—uploaded in March—distorted sacred texts and hurt religious sentiments by claiming that Hindu deities consumed meat and alcohol.

The legal proceedings have now escalated as the petitioner urges the court to mandate a complete global removal of the video, arguing that users in India can still circumvent regional restrictions using virtual private networks.

The central government's review body had taken up the matter after the Delhi High Court previously directed the executive to adjudicate on the complaint. Whilst the video remains available to international audiences, the petition seeking its worldwide deletion has been referred to a division bench, with the high court adjourning further hearings on the matter until September.

(Inputs from IANS)