Row Over ‘Pandit’ In UP Police SI Exam Question, BJP Leaders Raise Objections

Last Updated:March 15, 2026, 09:36 IST

The use of "Pandit" in the Uttar Pradesh Police SI exam has triggered controversy. BJP leaders demand an investigation, citing disrespect to Brahmins.

The use of the word “Pandit" in a question asked during the Uttar Pradesh Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment examination has triggered a political and social controversy, with several leaders and members of the Brahmin community alleging that the term was used in an inappropriate context.

The controversy centres on a question in the Hindi section of the examination that asked candidates to identify the word that describes “a person who changes according to circumstances." The options included sadachari (virtuous), pandit, avsarvadi (opportunist) and nishkapat (innocent). The inclusion of “pandit" among the options has drawn objections from community representatives and political leaders who argue that the term, traditionally associated with scholarship and respect, should not be placed alongside negative connotations.

BJP state minister Abhijat Mishra wrote to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, calling the question inappropriate and urging the government to investigate how such wording was included in a competitive examination. He said that the usage of the word could hurt the sentiments of a particular community and demanded accountability from officials responsible for preparing the paper.

According to party sources, the issue has now reached the BJP’s central leadership. The matter was reportedly discussed at the party’s state office in Lucknow in the presence of state president Pankaj Chaudhary, where some functionaries expressed concern that repeated administrative lapses were affecting the party’s public image.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also reacted to the controversy, saying that no examination should contain references that undermine the dignity of any community. “If any question or option hurts the dignity of any society or community, it is absolutely unacceptable. Words or contexts that insult any caste, community or tradition should have no place in examinations," he said.

Former Deputy Chief Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Dr Dinesh Sharma also expressed disagreement with the wording of the question. He said the government had taken the issue seriously and expected a proper inquiry into the matter. “In an important examination like the SI recruitment test, I personally disagree with the optional answer used in the question. The government has taken this matter seriously and an investigation should be conducted so that appropriate action can be taken," he said.

Pandit Sunil Bharala, founder of the National Parshuram Parishad, alleged that the question appeared to have been framed with malicious intent.

He said the word “pandit" symbolises knowledge and respect and should not be used in a negative context. “This appears to be a conspiracy. The person responsible for preparing the paper must face action because the word ‘pandit’ is associated with knowledge and dignity," Bharala said.

BJP MLA from Badlapur in Jaunpur, Ramesh Chandra Mishra, also wrote to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath seeking an investigation. He said the term “pandit" represents scholarship and honour and placing it among negative options in the question paper was inappropriate.

Meanwhile, a complaint has also been submitted at the Hazratganj police station in Lucknow. The complainant, Deepak Sharma, demanded that an FIR be registered against those responsible for framing the question paper, alleging that the wording was intended to insult the Brahmin community.

Former Bareilly city magistrate Alankar Agnihotri also objected to the question. In a Facebook live video, he claimed that similar incidents had occurred earlier and said the Brahmin community should unite to respond to such developments.

The SI recruitment examination, however, was conducted across the state under tight security arrangements. Candidates were subjected to three layers of checking before entering examination centres and were allowed inside only after

verification of their admit cards and identification documents. Even the mobile phones of police personnel deployed on duty were reportedly collected to prevent any possibility of malpractice.

Strict checks were carried out at several centres. In Varanasi, male candidates were asked to remove shoes, socks and belts before entering the examination hall, while women candidates were asked to remove jewellery such as bangles, earrings and toe rings.

At the same time, authorities also cracked down on a fake question paper racket circulating on social media. The Special Task Force (STF) arrested a suspect from Agra who allegedly edited fake question papers and circulated them on Telegram channels, claiming they were authentic and collecting money from aspirants through online payments.

The Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board clarified that the viral paper had no connection with the actual examination and warned that strict legal action would be taken against those spreading misinformation. Officials said seven FIRs have been registered so far in connection with the circulation of fake papers.

The recruitment examination is being conducted for 4,543 posts of Sub-Inspectors across Uttar Pradesh.

The Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board has set up 1,090 examination centres across all 75 districts for the two-day examination, which is being held in two shifts each day.

While the recruitment process is continuing as scheduled, the controversy over the use of the word “pandit" in the question paper has added a fresh political dimension to one of the state’s largest police recruitment drives.

The use of “Pandit" in the Uttar Pradesh Police SI exam has triggerred controversy. BJP leaders demand an investigation, citing disrespect to Brahmins.

News india Row Over ‘Pandit’ In UP Police SI Exam Question, BJP Leaders Raise Objections

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