‘Paatal Lok’ web series begins with the arrest of four persons on the suspicion of conspiracy of murder of renowned news anchor from Delhi. The beauty of series reflected in the arrest of four persons out of them one was Dalit, one female (later comes out as transwoman), one Muslim and one Brahmin (Hatoda Tyagi), etc. The reason behind the popularity of ‘Paatal Lok’ is multiple aspects of Indian reality which the director wants to show it intentionally. This series is the best example of caste hegemony and a well-depicted discrimination perspective. It is the best example of caste hierarchy prevailing in Indian society and it has covered all kinds of discrimination and its role in real life. It is a good mixture of gender inequality, child sexual abuse, girl gang rapes in villages, caste-based discrimination in rural and urban areas, religious discrimination, media houses and their culture, and finally systematic discrimination in everyone’s life. A lifestyle of the media house has been captured the attention of viewers. Media house now becomes business enterprises and how they work in India it was nicely depicted with politics around media houses. Every role is perfect and therefore it has got such popularity. It is a good mixture of the higher class, middle class and lower class, politics, drama, thriller, crime, and reality of India which touches the heart of every Indian and finally fraternity among all disparity. Everyone doesn’t need to look from these perspectives but what message it gives is unique in the 20th Century.

There are many movies on social discrimination like Aakrosh, Article 15 and Assi Ghat etc. This is another recent story after movie Article 15 on the issue of caste-based discrimination in Indian society. Although people talk about the complete eradication of untouchability and there is no such caste-based discrimination in India in the 20th century. However, this web series has given a real picture of society and a suitable place for every caste and its roles in Indian society because at some point in life what they experience in their real life is watching on cinema. The intention of the director is very clear but whether viewers are critical and they accept it because of what they have been offered it. Here, the intention may be good or bad that is another debate because what the Indian censor board and producers do to get their movies released is well known to all. In this series, some scenes were intentionally shown to attract the viewer and to gain some popularity and it is also true that the role of cinema is not only to entertain you but to show some reality around you. In that sense, this is a beautifully written series on these pertinent issues of society which has covered every aspect of social discrimination and dirty politics. It is up to the viewers to decide what they have been offered and how they perceived it and if it is objectionable and unethical that has to be condemned. 

After the arrest, the series goes back to a flashback of all four accused and their background as a part of the investigation. First, it starts with a young Dalit boy from Punjab. That how Dalit accused involved in this gang and the plight of Dalits in Punjab which has the highest population of Dalits in the State. It shows how Dalits being discriminated by the high castes on smaller issues and when they start revolting against it, how his mother is gang-raped by the upper castes people in front of his uncle and grandfather. It also shows how Dalits live in Punjab. It further shows how Dalit youths’ leadership is killed by upper castes. One who wants to fight against injustice and to raise voice against high castes by youth leadership but the young leader of the Dalit icon is also killed by the same high castes people.

The second is about transwoman accused who was subjected to sexual abuse since childhood and her passion for good life takes her to crime and jail. It shows the child sexual abuse and exploitation in poverty-ridden areas, slum-dwellers, and beggars.

The third is about the Muslim accused and his story that how he was interrogated and religiously discriminated is well depicted and finally all they were declared anti-nationals and terrorists by politicians with manipulating evidence with the help of CBI and the State machinery. They were declared terrorists from some terrorist organizations from Pakistan. Interestingly shown the story of Muslim guy, who was afraid of telling his real identity to police and showing Hindu identity because his father has already lost one elder son in Hindu-Muslim riots on the suspicion of beef.

The fourth is about the role of Hatoda Tyagi (a Brahmin) who was become a criminal to take revenge for his sister’s gang rape in the village. After the murder of three rapists, he was under Donullias protections, and therefore he was strong followers of Masterji. Who was also an animal lover and because of his love for dogs and his Master Ji’s statement that “kuttan se saccho prem karanewale sadhaiv man ke saaf howat hai” (people who love dog are good people) the life of news anchor has been saved only because of his wife’s love for the dog which Tyagi saw on the day of execution of murder and therefore he wants to talk to his Masterji that whether to kill that man or not but Masterji was already dead so he could not talk to Masterji. Then immediately Tyagi planned to cancel murder and while returning home they got arrested. 

Another interesting character Masterji a Donullia a Gujjar dacoit who is the main villain in this series from Bundelkhand and his love for Gujjars and the terror of dacoits in Bundelkhand and some areas Chambal has been nicely depicted which presently some part of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

It is said that the Muslim patriotism and Dalits’ merits have always been questions and this web series has shown it clearly. The entry of Hatiram Chaudhary Police Inspector of Jamanu Vihar Police Station, New Delhi in crime scene with his young Muslim Assistant Police Inspector who later becomes IPS officer gives another glimpse of the story. The incident of Muslim young assistant sub-inspector and the Muslim accused has shown the reality of treatment given by the Hindu majority State not always it happens but such incidents are experienced in once in every Muslim life.

Now come back to the Hatiram Chaudhary who is a police inspector and he played a dynamic role. Generally, we see the surnames of Inspectors and higher officers in movies are from upper castes but here the surname of investigation officer is Chaudhary which was intentionally given. Although this is not a particular surname of any castes it may be found in upper caste and lower castes. Interestingly the whole family background and activities of Hatiram Choudhary in favor of officers from some lower class/caste from middle castes. So, easily one can fit his role from different angles like he may be a Dalit police inspector (not clearly shown in this series), he may be middle-class person, and seeking one good case for his promotion and the discriminated by his senior officers. It seems to be multiple characters and one of them could be a Dalit police inspector who never gets a good case because of his caste. The struggle of the middle class and the culture of high class and unemployed youths for money get involved in crime.

Since it was the planned murder by Bajapayee and Gwala Gujjar with the involvement of higher officers of police who want to finish this Hatoda Tyagi due to upcoming elections in UP because of the death of Donullia Gujjar which was not known to anyone till the end of the story except Bajapayee and Gwala Gujjar. Donullia a Gujjar who was also alia of Mr. Bajapayee to support him in politics with muscle power in return for money and government contracts through Gwala Gujjar. The other three accused were pawn by politicians middleman Mr. Shukla. It was all planned murder of news reporters with a plan to target Hatoda Tyagi and the other three accused were a pawn. The entry of senior police officers Mr. Bhagat who had already planned to give him this case expecting that he will not solve it. But how Hatiram Chaudhary works hard to get that information from all corner of the investigation and finally he get all the answer for his investigation. Here he plays the role of the middle-class family. The story goes to Delhi, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh. This story has shown the politics of UP by naming the Dalit Samaj Party and the Samaj Vikas Party. It the interesting to see the Dalit politics of UP where Dalit Samaj Party leader is Bajapayee a Brahmin who was MLA and who visited Dalit house and carries one jeep of liquid (Ganga Jal) for purifying himself. In between the women’s exploitation in politics and the love triangle of Dalit youth with the upper-caste girl and that girl later become the reason for his involvement in crime and conspiracy to finish him with the help of politicians middlemen Mr. Shukla.

It was a beautifully scripted story with all approaches of society. Everyone indeed watches this series from their specs. It is obvious that the hegemony maintained by the upper castes is acceptable to them and they will like it. Now the question here is whether the underprivileged and victims of caste hierarchy are accepting it as what they have offered by media and cinema. This story is like other movies on caste-based discrimination and it has covered the reality of Indian society which no one can ignore and hence it may be accepted by all the viewers. In this series, every caste has been given the importance of the role of caste in their daily life and without which Indian cinema cannot imagine and credit goes to actors and story writers for this realistic depiction of Indian society. One must watch to understand the nitty-gritty of today’s India with his conscious mind because it is a fact that Indian viewers are sentimental and innocent. The author may have not covered all aspects of web series ‘Paatal Lok’ but what author could see from this story that it is impossible to see India beyond caste, religion and nepotism and all kind of other discrimination despite having many reforms and social movements and legislative protections in the 20th century. Caste, class and discrimination is a reality of India.

Author: Jagdish Khobragade 
Assistant Professor, Department of Law, Dr.Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, M.P.,470003, India, email;jkhobragade@gmail.com