Today, On 26th March, The Delhi High Court allowed the withdrawal of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed against rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh’s song ‘Maniac’. The petition had raised objections to the song’s lyrics, alleging they were inappropriate. However, the petitioner later sought to withdraw the case, and the court granted permission. With this decision, the legal challenge against the song has come to an end.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday allowed the withdrawal of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the lyrics of the song “Maniac,” produced by YoYo Honey Singh Productions Private Limited.
A bench consisting of Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela chose not to entertain the petition. The court suggested that the petitioner seek other avenues, noting that if the issue pertained to vulgarity or obscenity, an FIR should be filed.
Additionally, the court expressed disapproval of the language used by the petitioner’s counsel, particularly the phrase “Bhojpuri vulgarity.”
The judges stated, “Vulgarity is vulgarity” and insisted that it should not be confined to any specific region.
The petitioner, Lavkush Kumar, represented by Advocate Kumar Utkarsh, argued that the song promotes explicit sexualization and employs double entendre, depicting women merely as objects of sexual desire.
Furthermore, the use of the Bhojpuri language in the song has been criticized for allegedly normalizing vulgarity, which contradicts the principles of women’s empowerment.
The plea asserts that upon examining the lyrics, it is evident that the language and gestures are obscene, appealing to lascivious interests and potentially corrupting the minds of youth and other segments of society.
While freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution, it is not an absolute right. This freedom is subject to reasonable restrictions as outlined in Article 19(2), which include considerations of public order, decency, and morality. The petition stresses the importance of balancing individual freedoms with societal interests.
The increasing prevalence of vulgar and sexually explicit content in Bhojpuri songs, as illustrated by “Maniac,” is reported to have a significant impact in Bihar. Bhojpuri music, with its wide reach, particularly among young audiences, is said to normalize explicit sexualization, objectification of women, and the use of derogatory language.
This trend is believed to erode societal values, promoting a culture of misogyny, sexism, and disrespect towards women.
The glorification of such content in mainstream media is argued to foster a harmful environment, exposing young people, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, to unhealthy and distorted views on gender relations, consent, and respect.
This situation ultimately undermines women’s dignity and reinforces negative gender stereotypes, as stated in the plea.
Case Title: Lavkush Kumar v. Union of India & Ors.
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