Delhi HC Orders Honey Singh, Badshah To Take Down ‘Volume 1’, Calls Song ‘Obscene’, ‘Deeply Derogatory’ – Woman’s era Magazine

The Delhi High Court has directed rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh and Badshah to immediately remove their controversial track Volume 1 from all digital platforms, observing that the song’s content is “grossly vulgar” and offensive.

The order was passed by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav while hearing a petition seeking action against the song, which dates back to the early 2000s and was associated with the Mafia Mundeer music collective. The court directed that the track, along with any remixes, clips or derivative versions, be taken down from social media platforms, music streaming services and all online locations.

In strong remarks, the court said the lyrics of the song are “patently obscene” and derogatory towards women, adding that such content cannot be allowed to remain accessible in the public domain. It further observed that no civilised society would permit the continued circulation of material that undermines social values and dignity.

The bench noted that this was among the rare instances where the “conscience of the court is shocked to its absolute core,” highlighting the severity with which it viewed the content of the song.

The court also stated that the lyrics not only contain offensive language but appear to normalise the objectification of women, describing them as dehumanising and lacking any artistic or social value. It emphasised that freedom of expression cannot be used to justify the dissemination of such material, particularly when it is easily accessible online, including to minors.

The directive extends beyond the original version of the song, with the court ordering that even partial reproductions, snippets or references to the track should not be allowed to circulate on digital platforms. Authorities have been asked to ensure complete removal and prevent re-uploading in any form.

The case was initiated following a petition filed by an organisation seeking deletion of the song from platforms such as YouTube, Google and Spotify. The plea also pointed out that portions of the track were recently performed at a concert, which brought renewed attention to the issue.

During the proceedings, the court reportedly reviewed the lyrics in detail and remarked that even the title of the song was too explicit to be reproduced in a judicial order.

Volume 1, which gained popularity years ago, has long faced criticism for its explicit and misogynistic content. The latest court order has now resulted in a blanket directive for its removal across platforms.

There has been no immediate public response from the artists following the court’s decision. The matter remains under judicial consideration, with further compliance steps expected from concerned parties and digital platforms.