New Delhi is buzzing with outrage over Netflix’s upcoming film ‘Ghooskhoro Pandit’. The title, which translates to ‘Bribery Pandit’, has sparked widespread fury for allegedly insulting the Brahmin community by linking the revered term ‘Pandit’ with corruption. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has joined the chorus, demanding an immediate ban on the movie.
In a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Mayawati condemned the trend of portraying Pandits as corrupt infiltrators, not just in Uttar Pradesh but across films nationwide. ‘This is deeply distressing and concerning,’ she wrote, highlighting the intense anger within the entire Brahmin society. BSP firmly denounces such casteist depictions and urges the central government to impose a ban without delay.
The controversy has ignited heated debates on social media, with users branding the title as an assault on religious and caste sentiments. No official response has come from Netflix or the filmmakers yet.
Earlier, advocate Vineet Jindal filed a writ petition in the Delhi High Court seeking an urgent stay on the film’s release. The plea argues that the title deliberately tarnishes the dignity and emotions of the Brahmin community by associating ‘Pandit’ with bribery and corruption. Jindal pointed out that Netflix has already begun promoting the film, potentially causing widespread damage to community image and social harmony.
‘Fear of mass defamation, hate speech, and communal tensions,’ the petition warns, invoking Article 226 of the Constitution for immediate intervention. As protests grow, the film hangs in balance, raising questions about creative freedom versus community sensitivities in India’s polarized landscape.
This incident underscores ongoing tensions around caste portrayals in entertainment, with political leaders like Mayawati amplifying calls for censorship to protect cultural honor.