Anurag Kashyap controversy: Brahmin leader offers Rs 1 lakh reward to 'blacken' filmmaker's face

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has found himself in hot water after his comments on Brahmins sparked outrage among several groups. The row has escalated so much that a Brahmin leader has now offered a cash reward to anyone who ‘blackens’ Kashyap’s face.
Angry reactions from Brahmin organisations
The backlash began after Kashyap made remarks while defending his film ‘Phule’, which tells the story of Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule, well-known social reformers who fought against caste discrimination in India.
As reported by the Indian Express, his comments didn’t sit well with many Brahmin organisations across the country. In a strong response, the Chanakya Sena, along with groups like Sarva Brahmin Mahasabha, Brahmin Seva Sangh, Akhil Bharatiya Brahmin Mahasabha, Vishwa Brahmin Parishad and Akhil Bharatiya Brahmin Sangh, held an urgent online meeting on Saturday.
Pandit Suresh Mishra, who leads the Sarva Brahmin Mahasabha and is also the chief patron of the Chanakya Sena, chaired the meeting. Mishra made it clear that they weren’t going to take Kashyap’s words lightly.
“Has the Brahmin community not made sacrifices for this country?” Mishra asked. He went on to say it was “unfortunate” that such comments were made “against Brahmins who talk about the welfare of all and have sacrificed their lives for the unity and integrity of the country.”
He said, “In such a situation, it is necessary to teach them a lesson. There should be strong opposition to such destructive people in the society who are making nefarious attempts to end aapsi sadachar (mutual respect) in the society.”

The Rs 1 lakh announcement
Taking the matter further, Mishra declared a shocking cash reward: “Whoever blackens Anurag Kashyap’s face” will be given Rs 1 lakh. He insisted that such people must be “humiliated” so that similar actions are not repeated in future.
“People like Anurag Kashyap, who are making baseless statements about Brahmins and are spreading division in the society,” must be dealt with strongly, he said. Mishra further called for public resistance and said, “There should be strong opposition to such destructive people.”

Anurag Kashyap’s apology
As the situation spiralled, Anurag Kashyap took to Instagram a few days to apologise, not for the film itself, but for the reaction his comments triggered. His post was both emotional and firm.
“This is my apology, not for my post but for that one line taken out of context and the brewing hatred. No action or speech is worth your daughter, family, friends and colleagues getting rape and death threats from the kingpins of sanskar,” he wrote.
Kashyap added, “I won't take back what I said. Abuse me all you want. My family didn't say anything. If you want an apology, here it is.”