Influencer Immunity

The law, as the old maxim goes, must apply equally to all. Yet, in India’s increasingly stratified political and social order, the principle of equality before the law appears to be in tatters. Social media influencer Ranveer Allahbadia and comedian Samay Raina, in the eye of a raging controversy, have both defied police summonses, offering flimsy excuses for their non-compliance.

The Mumbai and Guwahati Police, in a joint statement, have highlighted Allahbadia’s continuous absence, noting that he has yet to respond to FIRs filed by the Maharashtra Cyber Department, the Guwahati and the Jaipur Police in connection with making crass remarks he made on Raina’s controversial ‘India’s Got Latent’ show.

Allahbadia, better known as ‘BeerBiceps’ to his millions of followers, has curried favour in high places. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had exchanged pleasantries with him at an awards ceremony last year. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has been a guest on his show, lending credibility to his growing influence. These associations, it seems, have insulated him from the very institutions meant to uphold the law.

The police’s inconsistent enforcement further exacerbates concerns. While opposition figures, activists and journalists often face swift action, Allahbadia and Raina’s non-compliance has been met with delays and accommodations. This selective application of the law not only erodes the credibility of law enforcement agencies but also raises questions about impartiality and commitment to justice.

Had an average citizen attempted such defiance, they would have likely been dragged out of their homes or, at the very least, been made to appear in court under duress. But in the case of these social media darlings, the response has been curiously muted. The indulgence afforded to Allahbadia and Raina speaks to a broader cultural shift in governance. Influencers, rather than seasoned journalists or public intellectuals, are increasingly the preferred interlocutors of India’s top leadership. Modi has made a point of engaging with social media personalities, recognising their ability to shape public opinion. This is savvy politics, but it also distorts accountability. Does this highlight a concerning trend where political utility and social influence can overshadow legal accountability?

If the police cannot act without fear or favour, then they cease to function as an impartial authority and instead become an instrument of political convenience. The law cannot be seen as a tool to be wielded against critics while those within the ruling establishment’s orbit enjoy impunity. Modi’s government, which claims to stand for transparency and good governance, must ensure that all citizens, no matter their status or connections, are held to the same standard. When those with access to power receive implicit protections from legal repercussions, it signals to the rest of the country that justice is selective.

The point is who do Allahbadia and Raina think they are to defy police orders with impunity? And why is the law letting them get away with it? The answer may well lie in their political utility rather than any legal rationale. That, more than anything, should concern every Indian who still believes in the promise of equality before the law.