Ayushmann’s ‘Article 15’ Maligns Brahmins, Alleges UP Group

The film is loosely based on the 2014 Badaun rape case.

Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer Article 15 has earned the ire of the Parshuram Sena, a Brahmin outfit, who have alleged that the film shows the Brahmin community in a bad light.

The Anubhav Sinha directorial is loosely inspired by the rape and murder of two Dalit women, which took place in Badaun in Uttar Pradesh. In the trailer, Ayushmann portrays a police officer who is sent to a village in UP to investigate the rape and murder of two young Dalit girls who are found hanging from a tree. It is later revealed that they were targeted because they demanded a hike in their daily wages. Ayushmann’s character has to contend with the caste politics at play while getting to the bottom of the investigation.

News agency IANS has reported that the Parshuram Sena are upset that the trailer suggests the crime in question was committed by a Mahantji, the highest Brahmin sub-caste, as they feel it will defame the community.

“If the film is based on the Badaun incident, where was the need to turn the accused into Brahmins? It is obvious that the intention is to malign the Brahmin community. We have started creating awareness about the issue and we will not allow the film to release here,” said Kushal Tiwari a student leader and a member of the Parshuram Sena.

“If Thakurs can stall the release of Padmaavat, why can't Brahmins fight for their honour in this film? We are launching a campaign on the social media and we have also been trying to contact the film director Anubhav Singh but he has not been taking our calls," he said.

The Badaun rape and murder took place in 2014 when the Akhilesh Yadav government was in power in Uttar Pradesh. Pappu Yadav, Avadhesh Yadav, Urvesh Yadav, Chhatrapal Yadav and Sarvesh Yadav were named as the accused. Chhatrapal and Sarvesh were part of the police force. The Police Department was accused of showing leniency to the accused in the case due to political pressure from the Samajwadi Party which allegedly favoured the Yadavs.

(With inputs from IANS)