Use of the word ‘Pandaram’ as insult is derogatory to community: Veerashaiva Mahasabha

Palakkad: A complaint was filed with Kerala State Backward Classes Development Corporation Ltd (KSBCDC) by All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha seeking a restriction over the usage of words that pinpoint the names of communities. The complaint surfaced during the committee evidence collection convened at the Palakkad collectorate on Friday.

Names of communities like ‘Pandaram’ and ‘Pandaran’ are being used extensively as derogatory terms or in the wrong context. ‘Pandaram’ is also being used in cinema, serial, political and public speeches in a discriminating way. The committee reviewed that the use of the word in movies can be limited through inspection by the Censor Board.

Words like ‘aarthipandaram, pandaramadangal’ have been in usage for years now as an insulting term. The committee members also warned against the wrong usage of community names to paint any community in a bad light. It has also decided to submit a report on this to the government.