The court said that that the song was heard in chambers, and its title was found to be so objectionable that it could not be reproduced in the order.
The Delhi high court on Thursday directed the immediate takedown of the two-decade-old song Volume 1 by singers Honey Singh and Badshah from all platforms, observing that it was “grossly vulgar,” “obscene,” and “derogatory towards women,” designed to “normalise the treatment of women as objects of ridicule and sexual gratification.”
The song was released by the singers in 2006-07 under their collaboration titled Mafia Mundeer.
A bench of justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, hearing a petition filed by Hindu Shakti Dal seeking the song’s removal, observed that the lyrics were not merely offensive but were “ex facie calculated to normalise the portrayal of women as objects of ridicule and sexual gratification.”
The court said that permitting the dissemination of such content online, including access by minors, cannot be justified under the guise of artistic freedom of speech. It directed the two singers, and any other persons claiming rights in the song, to take it down from all social media platforms.
“This is one of the rare cases where the conscience of the court is shocked to its absolute core. It is one of those unfortunate instances where the court finds that the song is grossly vulgar, patently obscene, and derogatory towards women, artistic values, and social norms. The lyrics are not merely disrespectful or offensive but are ex facie calculated to normalise the treatment of women as objects of ridicule and sexual gratification,” the court said.
“Interim directions are required to be issued, as allowing dissemination of such content on online platforms, including access by minors, cannot be countenanced under the guise of artistic freedom of speech. No civilised society can permit such content to remain freely available or be monetised… [Honey Singh] and [Badshah] and any other persons claiming rights in the impugned obscene song(s), are directed to immediately take down the URLs hosting such content from social media platforms or any other online locations,” the bench noted.
The bench noted that the song was heard in chambers earlier in the morning, and its title was found to be so objectionable that it could not be reproduced in the order.
The court issued notice to Honey Singh and Badshah and fixed May 7 as the next date of hearing.