New Delhi, February 6: A growing controversy surrounds Netflix’s upcoming film titled ‘Ghooskhore Pandit.’ Critics are labeling the title as derogatory and offensive to a specific community, leading to increasing calls for its release to be halted. Mayawati, the national president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, has also voiced strong opposition to the film.
On Friday, Mayawati took to social media platform X to condemn the film’s title, urging the central government to take immediate action.
In her post, she stated, “It is deeply concerning that not only in Uttar Pradesh but now even in films, the term ‘Pandit’ is being used to label individuals as infiltrators, which has led to widespread outrage within the Brahmin community. Our party strongly condemns this disrespect. The central government must impose an immediate ban on this casteist film; this is the demand of the BSP.”
Debate over the film has intensified on social media, with users deeming it an attack on religious and caste sentiments. As of now, Netflix and the film’s producers have not issued any official statement regarding the controversy.
Previously, advocate Vineet Jindal filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking an immediate halt to the film’s release. The petition argues that the title ‘Ghooskhore Pandit’ undermines the dignity, reputation, and sentiments of the Brahmin community and is intentionally derogatory. Jindal noted that Netflix has already begun promoting the film, linking the term ‘Pandit’ with corruption and bribery, which is seen as offensive and incendiary towards the Brahmin community.
He further expressed concerns that the film’s release could significantly damage the community’s image and disrupt social harmony. There are fears that it may incite collective defamation, hate speech, and communal tensions. Therefore, he has requested the Delhi High Court to intervene and impose a temporary ban under Article 226 of the Indian Constitution.