20 years after release, Delhi High Court directs removal of 'vulgar & derogatory' song by Yo Yo Honey Singh, Badshah

The Delhi High Court on Thursday slammed rappers Yo Yo Honey Singh and Badshah for a song titled Vol 1, allegedly released in 2006, saying the track and lyrics were in complete disregard of even the minimum standards of civility and directed its removal from online platforms.

A single bench of Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav said the court's conscience was shaken to its "absolute core", adding that the access of the song to minors cannot be accepted under the guise of artistic freedom and free speech in a society governed by the rule of law.

Justice Kaurav said he listened to the song in his chamber and thought that the lyrics lacked 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.

The judge also noted that the song under the rappers' collaboration "Mafia Mundeer" was uploaded multiple times by several users on social media and garnered millions of views.

Honey Singh and Badshah were issued notices on the petition filed by Hindu Shakti Dal 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 counsel for the petitioner alleged that though both the rappers deny singing the song, Honey Singh sang verses at a concert in Delhi, sparking a controversy over the song's creation.

During the hearing, the court said the song cannot be permitted to remain on social media and has to be taken down.

Further, the Court directed the Centre to issue the necessary directions to take down any other URL to the song provided by the petitioner.

It listed the case for hearing on May 7.

The petitioner said that in 2006-2007, Honey Singh and Badshah did an "underground" release of the song, which has objectionable and vulgar lyrics, and provokes violence towards females.

Honey Singh and Badshah should take responsibility and issue a public apology, the plea said.

The petition sought directions for the removal of the song from YouTube and Spotify.

(With PTI inputs)