Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board (UPPRPB) has officially launched a high-level inquiry after a massive controversy erupted over a "disrespectful" question in the recently held UP Police Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment exam. The move comes after top leaders from the ruling BJP, including Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, expressed outrage over an examination paper option that allegedly insulted the Brahmin community.

The row began during the first shift of the Hindi section of the written examination conducted on March 14. Candidates were asked to provide a one-word substitution for a person who changes according to opportunity. While the standard answer is "opportunist," the board included "Pandit" as one of the multiple-choice options, alongside "innocent" and "virtuous." The inclusion of a term associated with scholarship and religious respect in a context describing opportunism quickly ignited a political firestorm.

UP BJP Secretary Abhijat Mishra took the lead in the protest, writing a formal letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Mishra argued that the question was a direct attack on the dignity of the Brahmin society, stating that "Pandit" is a title of knowledge and that such an association "hurts the sentiments of a particular community."

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, in a post on X, said, "The government has taken note of this matter with utmost seriousness. It is absolutely unacceptable for any question to hurt the dignity of any society or class. I want to say clearly that no place should be given to derogatory words against any caste, community, or tradition. Instructions have been issued for an immediate investigation into the entire matter. Strict action will be taken against the responsible individuals.”

In an official statement released late Saturday, the UPPRPB clarified its position, emphasising that the board maintains a highly secure and confidential protocol for question papers. According to the board, no employee or officer has access to the content until the sealed packets are opened by invigilators inside the examination halls. This protocol is designed to ensure the integrity of the UP Police recruitment process, yet the board admitted that responsibility must be fixed for the oversight that allowed this specific question to reach the candidates.

This latest controversy arrives at a sensitive time for the state government. Opposition parties have previously levelled "anti-Brahmin" allegations against the administration, and the fact that the current objection originated from within the BJP itself adds significant weight to the row.

The board’s examination controller has confirmed that culpability will be established and the inquiry will determine how the controversial content was approved during the drafting phase of the Sub-Inspector (Civil Police) exam.