The Supreme Court of India has adopted a no-nonsense stance in the row surrounding Netflix’s ‘Ghuskhor Pandit’, declaring that artistic freedom cannot justify insulting religious or caste groups. During proceedings on February 12, the court lambasted the film’s makers for content perceived as derogatory toward pandits.
A petition challenging the title’s release landed before Justices B.V. Nagarathna and others, who promptly served notices on the government, CBFC, and producer Neeraj Pandey. The matter, slotted for February 19, transcends a single movie—it’s about safeguarding India’s pluralistic ethos against divisive narratives.
‘Expression’s liberty isn’t a permit to demean any section of society,’ the court observed, cautioning against sparks of disharmony in tense times. Drawing on constitutional imperatives for unity in diversity, the judges invoked the framers’ vision of fraternal bonds across faiths and castes.
Filmmakers conceded by removing the trailer online and pledging a rename, but the bench demanded a formal affidavit specifying changes and vetting content for biases. Petitioners highlighted how ‘Ghuskhor Pandit’—implying corrupt priests—hurts sentiments and sows seeds of conflict.
This ruling reinforces the judiciary’s role as custodian of social equilibrium, urging filmmakers to prioritize national integration over sensationalism. As India navigates deepening divides, the court’s message is clear: creativity must not corrode communal fabric.