‘Offensive title’: Focus back on UP’s Brahmin politics

Lucknow: After UP BJP chief Pankaj Chaudhary formally disapproved of the Manoj Bajpayee-starrer web series over its controversial title, allegedly targeting the Brahmin community, the political spotlight shifted back to the resurgence of upper-caste identity politics in the state ahead of the high-stakes assembly elections due next year. Chaudhary said the title was "offensive" and hurt the reputation, honour and collective sentiments of the Brahmin community. "We urged the govt of India to intervene and seek the immediate removal of this objectionable title," he said.
Emphasising the community's historical role, Chaudhary said Brahmins have long been custodians of knowledge, scholarship, culture and moral values. "Their sacrifices and intellectual contributions in preserving the Vedas, scriptures and Sanatan traditions were viewed with respect across society," he added. Chaudhary's remarks marked the first disapproval from the BJP's top organisational leadership, amid the saffron outfit's intensified efforts to consolidate Brahmins—the party's core support base since the early 1990s, when the Ram temple movement peaked. Earlier, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered the registration of an FIR against the director of the web series, signalling his govt's intent to curb any perception of insult or stereotyping of the Brahmin community. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also slammed the series, alleging that the controversy reflected a broader attempt by the film industry to target Indian culture, particularly Brahmins. The controversy came amid a visible churn within the BJP. In Dec last year, during the winter session of the state Assembly, a group of Brahmin legislators—mostly from eastern Uttar Pradesh—held a meeting at the residence of the BJP's Kushinagar MLA Panchanand Pathak. The gathering drew not only BJP legislators but also rebel MLAs from the Samajwadi Party, triggering speculation of disquiet within the ruling party. Sensing an opportunity, the opposition also stepped up outreach to the Brahmin community. Recently, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav strongly backed Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati during his dispute with the Uttar Pradesh govt, accusing the BJP of "disrespecting Sanatan Dharma" and humiliating a senior religious leader. Posters cropped up outside the SP office in Lucknow proclaiming, "Hindustan will not tolerate the insult of the Shankaracharya." The seer, however, maintained that he was critical of all political parties on issues such as cow slaughter and that his focus remained on religious matters rather than political alignment. The SP's renewed Brahmin pitch ran parallel to its emphasis on the Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak (PDA) plank, which was believed to have dented the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, reducing its Uttar Pradesh tally from 62 to 33. Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati also moved in to woo Brahmins, reviving her tried-and-tested social engineering formula—amalgamating Dalits and Brahmins—that propelled her to power with an absolute majority for the first time in 2007. Mayawati categorically criticised the makers of the web series for "insulting" Brahmins and demanded a ban, alleging that the community was increasingly portrayed in a derogatory manner in films.