Delhi court orders immediate takedown of Yo Yo Honey Singh & Badshah’s ‘Volume 1’

The Delhi High Court has ordered the 'immediate removal' of the early Yo Yo Honey Singh and Badshah collaboration, stating that its lyrics 'shook the court's conscience to its core'. The bench has rejected the defense of creative expression, saying that the song normalizes women as objects of ridicule and fails to meet even the minimum standards of social decency.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav said that the court’s conscience was shaken to its 'absolute core' by the track's content. He ruled that allowing such material on platforms accessible to children cannot be justified as 'artistic freedom' or 'free speech,' especially in a society rooted in 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.

Acting on a plea from the Hindu Shakti Dal, the Delhi High Court has summoned Honey Singh and Badshah to respond to the controversy surrounding their 2006 collaboration.

The court specifically pointed to the millions of views the song has generated over the last two decades as evidence of its enduring and 'harmful' presence on social media. The ruling compels the artists, along with anyone else claiming rights to the song, to ensure its total removal from the digital space to prevent further dissemination.

About Mafia Mundeer

A collaborative dream under the name Mafia Mundeer saw rapper Honey Singh bringing together talents like Badshah, Raftaar, Ikka and Lil Golu. The group’s foundation was laid after Badshah’s Soda Whiskey caught Honey Singh's attention. Despite their collective success, the group dissolved as members sought independent paths. Ikka and Raftaar’s exits paved the way for the final split when Badshah left the team in 2011.