Ranveer Allahbadia and the Freedom of Speech Circus: Do We Even Have Free Speech

Have you ever wondered if free speech in India is truly ‘free’? Or is it just a fancy concept we throw around until someone actually speaks their mind? Well, Ranveer Allahbadia, a.k.a. BeerBiceps, just found out the hard way. One moment, you’re a beloved influencer giving motivational gyaan, and the next, you're trending for all the wrong reasons.

So, What Did He Say?

Honestly, does it even matter? In today’s outrage economy, context is just an unnecessary luxury. A snippet from his podcast went viral, and boom—controversy erupted. Some thought he was just sharing his opinion, others called for his head (figuratively, of course). And before you know it, the internet was divided into two factions—one defending free speech, the other ready to cancel him faster than a bad Bollywood remake.

Free Speech: A Right or Just a Myth?

Now, let’s talk about this mythical beast called freedom of speech. Article 19(1)(a) of our Constitution says we all have the right to express ourselves. Sounds great, right? But wait, here comes Article 19(2) with a big fat BUT—restrictions for sovereignty, public order, decency, morality, and more. Translation: You can say whatever you want… as long as it doesn’t upset the wrong people. Convenient, no?

Legal vs. Moral: The Eternal Tug-of-War

Here’s the fun part. Legally, Ranveer might not have done anything wrong. But morally? Well, that depends on who you ask. In today’s world, what's legal can still get you ‘canceled’ faster than a failed influencer’s brand deal. Should influencers be judged by the law alone, or do they have a moral duty to cater to public sentiment? And who decides what’s ‘moral’ anyway—the same people who get offended by everything?

Social Media: The Ultimate Judge, Jury & Executioner

Once upon a time, we had real courts to decide justice. Now, we have Twitter (sorry, ‘X’). One viral clip, a few hashtags, and the judgment is delivered—guilty until proven innocent. It’s fascinating how we claim to support free speech, yet we love silencing voices we don’t agree with. Hypocrisy much?

Selective Outrage: The Real Issue

This is the same country that holds the title for being the largest consumer of porn, including incest-related content—yet, somehow, the samaj ke thekedar (self-appointed guardians of morality) are nowhere to be seen when it comes to regulating that. Where’s the outrage? Where are the bans? Oh wait, that’s not politically convenient. Targeting an influencer, however, is way easier and serves a spicy political agenda. After all, why focus on real issues when you can just create noise over something trivial?

Meanwhile, this is also the same country where the Nirbhaya case took a decade to get justice, where the Kolkata rape case is still struggling in courts, and where marital rape is not even considered a crime. But instead of discussing these ground realities, what are we debating? A comedy show clip. The serious issues of crime, gender violence, and justice reform are barely touched upon, but a show by a YouTuber suddenly becomes a public zero-hour Parliament discussion. Are we expecting entertainment from politicians and serious discussions from comedians? Because that’s exactly what it feels like.

So, What’s the Verdict?

Ranveer Allahbadia’s case is just another episode in India’s ongoing ‘freedom of speech’ soap opera. The question is—are we really promoting open dialogue, or are we just gatekeeping opinions that fit our personal narratives? If influencers have a responsibility, shouldn’t audiences also have the maturity to differentiate between opinions and outright harm? Or do we enjoy playing moral police a little too much?

Recently, I shared my thoughts on this drama on X:"In a democracy, free speech must be protected, but with great influence comes great responsibility. Should digital creators be bound by legality alone, or does moral responsibility also play a role? #RanveerAllahbadia #FreeSpeechDebate"

What do you think? Should we protect speech, even when we don’t like what’s being said? Or should we keep playing this game of selective outrage?

Stay tuned to Jan Gan Man for more unfiltered takes on governance, policies, and the never-ending drama of social issues in India.

 By Shweta

Feb 19 , 2025