The Supreme Court on Monday directed YouTubers and online influencers to publicly apologise to persons with disabilities if their content is offensive. The top court warned that financial penalties could be imposed for violations. This order follows controversial remarks made by popular YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia during an episode of India’s Got Latent.

The court also asked influencers to submit an affidavit explaining how they can use their platforms to raise awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities. Apart from this, the bench instructed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) to create clear guidelines for the language used on social media. 

These rules should protect the dignity of all people, including those with disabilities, and should not be made just in response to one incident, but should cover broader challenges posed by technology. The Ministry has been asked to consult the National Board for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities (NBDSA) and other experts while framing these rules.

Comedian Samay Raina has also been accused of mocking persons with disabilities. Complaints claim that in two of his videos, he made fun of patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and made insensitive remarks about blind and cross-eyed people.

Justice Suryakant said that while free speech is important, it does not protect offensive content. He stressed that punishment should be proportional to the harm caused; otherwise, creators may continue using offensive language freely. He also warned about the wider impact of such content, saying that if unchecked today, tomorrow, vulnerable groups like women or senior citizens could be targeted.

The Supreme Court noted that online platforms like YouTube could also be held responsible if they host content that violates the dignity of persons with disabilities. The Ministry of I&B has been asked to set up both guidelines and a punishment mechanism to ensure accountability.

Counsel for the NBDSA said that while the board handles thousands of complaints in print and electronic media, online content creators remain largely unregulated. The court suggested that expert bodies like NBDSA could help enforce rules on social media.