The Delhi High Court ordered the removal of a controversial song linked to Yo Yo Honey Singh and Badshah, calling it vulgar and derogatory. The court said such content cannot be justified under artistic freedom
Honey Singh and Badshah
On Thursday, the Delhi High Court passed an order on songs by well-known rappers Yo Yo Honey Singh and Badshah. They were hearing a matter against songs released by the singers in 2006. Terming the track "vulgar" and "derogatory", the court said that it was in complete disregard of even the minimum standards of civility and directed its removal from online platforms.
What the court said about the song
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav said the court's conscience was shaken to its "absolute core" and that the dissemination of the song on platforms accessible to minors cannot be countenanced under the guise of artistic freedom and free speech in a society governed by the rule of law.
Justice Kaurav said he heard the song in his chamber and thought that it lacked any artistic or social value, and reduced women to objects of ridicule.
"The title of the song can't be dictated in the order. The same seems to be completely unacceptable.
"The court finds that the song is grossly vulgar, obscene and derogatory towards women... Lyrics are not only disrespectful and offensive but also ex facie dehumanising and normalise the treatment of women as objects of ridicule and sexual gratification," said the court.
More about the case
The court noted that the song, allegedly released in 2006 by the rappers under their collaboration Mafia Mundeer, has been uploaded by various users on social media and has garnered millions of views.
The court issued notice to Honey Singh and Badshah on the petition by Hindu Shakti Dal on the issue and directed the rappers as well as any other person claiming rights in the uploaded song or its version to take it down from online platforms.
"The court finds that allowing dissemination of the said song on public platforms, which are accessible to minors, cannot be countenanced in the guise of artistic freedom and free speech. The song is in complete disregard of the minimum standard of civility," the court said.
The petitioner's counsel said that although both rappers have denied singing the song, Honey Singh sang verses of it at a concert in Delhi, which further sparked the controversy over the song's creation.
It listed the case for hearing on May 7.
(with inputs from PTI)
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