Delhi HC asks GAC to decide within 15 days on takedown plea against Dhruv Rathee’s video titled ‘Can Hindus Eat Beef?’

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has directed the Central government’s Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) to decide within 15 days on a plea seeking the removal of YouTuber Dhruv Rathee’s video titled “Can Hindus Eat BEEF? | Kerala Story 2 EXPOSED.” According to the Bar and Bench, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma asked the GAC to communicate its decision to the court and said any non-compliance with the order would be viewed seriously. The petition was filed by advocate Amita Sachdeva, who alleged that Rathee’s March 21, 2026, video contained remarks claiming that Hindu deities, including Lord Ram, Sita and Lord Krishna, consumed meat and alcohol. She argued that the content hurt religious sentiments and was derogatory and inflammatory. During the hearing, the Centre submitted that online intermediaries are required to exercise due diligence and argued that the content should have been taken down. Google informed the court that it had already responded to the complainant and that an appeal against its decision was pending before the GAC. Taking note of the submissions, the High Court directed the GAC to dispose of the appeal within 15 days. Separately, Sachdeva has also filed a criminal complaint before a metropolitan magistrate over the same video. The magistrate has sought a report on the action taken from the police. The complaint alleges that the video distorted Hindu scriptures, insulted Sanatan Dharma and promoted communal disharmony by linking dietary practices with caste and politics.