Twitter Calls out Netflix’s ‘Jamtara’ for Using Casteist Slur

The Netflix original has landed itself in controversy.

A clip from the fifth episode of Netflix’s recent original, Jamtara: Sabka Number Ayega, has been doing the rounds on Twitter. In the dialogue a politician named Brajesh Bhan rebukes one of the masterminds of the phishing scam, Rocky, by telling him, ‘Chamar ho ke zamindar ho?’’ The word ‘chamar’ has caused a lot of outrage on Twitter, with people pointing out that this casteist slur is punishable according to a ruling by the Supreme Court of India.

One of the users tweeted, “I have come to know that "Chamar" word is being used as casteist abuse in TV series named "Jamtara: Sabka Number Ayega" (episode 5) on Netflix India. I don't use Netflix account so could you guys confirm please. An FIR should be filed against director/producers of such content.”

I have come to know that "Chamar" word is being used as casteist abuse in TV series named "Jamtara: Sabka Number Ayega" (episode 5) on @NetflixIndia

I don't use Netflix account so could you guys confirm please. An FIR should be filed against director/producers of such content. pic.twitter.com/kaNKomW0PQ

— Ambedkar's Caravan (@AmbedkarCaravan) January 16, 2020

Many have asked Netflix to take down the series. There have also been discussions surrounding the validity of artistic licence, when dealing with historically oppressive terms.

Take a look at some of the tweets:

— @NetflixIndia has used the word “chamar” in a show called Jamtara, which is not just offensive but also punishable under the POA Act. they wouldn’t dare use derogatory terms in the USA. PLEASE MAKE YOUR WRITING ROOM MORE DIVERSE, SO THAT YOU DON’T COME OUT WITH SUCH SHIT.

— Pain Badgley (@SrishtyRanjan) January 16, 2020

What the hell @NetflixIndia casteist, irresponsible, idiotic....#netflix https://t.co/bTmKZpcWBt

— punith kumar (@punith_kumarN) January 16, 2020

@netflix @NetflixIndia take appropriate action immediately! Such use of casteist language must be prohibited! https://t.co/VReGr3pEDR

— Sumeet Mhaskar (@sumeetmhaskar) January 16, 2020

Whatever may be the context, casteist abuse or unconstitutional words are not acceptable.

How many TV series have you seen that have used abusive language toward Brahmins or other so-called upper castes? Or why don't they find "context" to abuse UCs? https://t.co/byjTfgXcYT

— Ambedkar's Caravan (@AmbedkarCaravan) January 16, 2020

Not only that, it's not upto the privileged to accept what is a caste slur in a 'context', if we go by the privileged narrative there is no end to it at all.

— Thaiyaan (@thaiyaan) January 16, 2020

We as a society is already very insensitive to those slurs and those who don't fit the privilege casteist narrative, so many had to struggle to register their protest to those slurs, even though we have a law. So this kind of dialogues just use to normalize those slurs and abuse.

— Thaiyaan (@thaiyaan) January 16, 2020