Influencers Unite: Indian influencers association takes stand amid Ranveer Allahbadia controversy

New Delhi (Uttam Hindu News): The Indian Influencers Association (BIA) has come out openly against the objectionable comments made by Ranveer Allahbadia aka 'BeerBiceps' on the show 'India's Got Talents'. The incident is believed to be the first of its kind in the unorganised sector of online influencers and podcasters.

BIA General Secretary Neelkanth Bakshi reacted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and said, “Social media influencer @BeerBicepsGuy has shown his true mindset. What he said in the name of comedy is not only objectionable but also crosses every limit of morality. I am distressed by his comments and strongly condemn them.”

Communications professional Neelkanth Bakshi was part of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Delhi communications team between 2017-19. Rajshri Rai, editor of APN TV channel, is the president of BIA.

Bakshi added, "The offensive and vulgar comments made by Ranveer Allahbadia are highly reprehensible, and need to be curbed, else there is no limit to how low the discourse can stoop. We would like to help individual influencers with YouTube and other platforms with any issues related to promotions, payments, etc."

The BIA has around 350 influencer members, including Tech Guruji and Ankit Baiyanpuria (who appeared with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of a campaign for physical fitness), as well as some lawyers specialising in laws relating to online content.

He said influencers are working alone and individually, and are vulnerable to immense pressure from followers, including questions on how close they are to the ruling BJP. When the Centre recently gave awards to online content creators, it resulted in allegations that the award winners were inclined towards the BJP and the central government. Bakshi said the association will provide them a platform to voice their interest. With media houses in India now well established, it appears the online content space is also getting organised.