Delhi HiC orders removal of Volume 1 by Yo Yo Honey Singh and Badshah from all platforms

The Delhi High Court has taken a firm stand against the song Volume 1 by Yo Yo Honey Singh and Badshah by ordering that it should be removed from all digital platforms immediately. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, in his order, made it clear that neither the full song nor any part of its lyrics should remain online.

“In whatever forms this song is available on social media platforms, it has to be taken down is clearly the opinion. No one can deny this. We cannot allow even the slightest of it to be on social media,” the court said as quoted by Bar & Bench.

The bench also reviewed the song privately, and after listening to it, Justice Kaurav remarked that it was one of those rare occasions where the “conscience of the court is shocked to its absolute core.”

The order highlighted that the lyrics “try to normalise the treatment of women as objects of ridicule and sexual gratification.”

The case arose after the organisation Hindu Shakti Dal filed a petition to challenge the song. Volume 1 was released over two decades ago and drew criticism for its explicit content and alleged misogyny.

The song has also been caught up in a years-long dispute between Honey Singh and Badshah who used to collaborate in the Mafia Mundeer group. Badshah claimed that Singh pushed his collaborators aside and took more credit than was due. This charge has been denied by Singh.

The high court

observed that Honey Singh had recently sung parts of the track at a live concert which led to formal notices being issued to both him and Badshah. The artists are now required to take down the song from all their social media and streaming platforms.

The court ordered that any URLs related to this song should be blocked immediately. It also granted the petitioner the authority to compile and submit a list of other links that also includes remixes to the government. Following this, online platforms will be instructed to take them down.

The petitioner has also been allowed to continue reporting newly discovered URLs using the reporting systems of major intermediaries. In case of any doubt, the platforms may seek clarification from the government. The court additionally permitted the petitioner to lodge complaints directly with Google regarding the song.