Author Hardeep Singh

CHANDIGARH Hindu extremist controversial actress Kangana Ranaut-starrer movie ‘Emergency’ is facing backlash in Punjab and various states of India over its highly objectionable scenes which present Sikhs in poor light and spread hate against them, and the recent hateful remarks made by the newly elected BJP MP from Hindu populated Mandi constituency of Himachal Pradesh. 

This movie is scheduled for release on September 6. Its trailer was released on August 14.The trailer stirred the row. It shows an actor playing the role of great Sikh martyr Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Such depiction also violates basic Sikh principles as per which no human being can play the role of any Sikh martyr. Sant Bhindranwale who was awarded the title of ‘Great Sikh of 20^th Century’ by Akal Takht Sahib, led the Sikh activists while defending the highest Sikh temporal seat during India army attack in June 1984.

As per trailer, the movie shows Sikhs as “terrorists”. This has hurt sentiments of the Sikhs.

The controversy deepened as Kangana made hateful and provocative remarks against the agitating farmers, majority of whom are Sikhs in a video. He likened the farmers’ protest with the Bangladesh situation. “Their agitation could have led to a Bangladesh-like situation in the country had the top leadership not taken strong measures to control it”, she said in the video shared on X.

She once again targets the farmers who are fighting for their existence and rights. “During the farmers’ protests, dead bodies were seen hanging and rapes were taking place. “When the pro-farmer Bills were withdrawn, the entire country was shocked,” she said in the video. The farmers were still continuing with their protests, she added and blamed “foreign powers” for it.

After this remark, farmers have been upping ante against her and seeking ban on release of the movie. Farmers of various Indian states have also joined the stir against her. Her remarks have created trouble for the Hindutva party in the middle of poll season in Haryana. Protests have spoiled poll campaign of the saffron party in Haryana. This made the party leadership disown statements of Ranaut. 

The Sikh and farmers organizations have announced that they would not let screening of the objectionable movie anywhere. This has sent the Police administration into tizzy as she is face of Hindutva during the rule of Hindutva party. 

Meanwhile, various organizations have started taking legal measures to ensure ban on the movie. 

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has sent legal notice to the movie producers including Kangana seeking ban on its release and removal of its trailer from the social media platforms. “If the objectionable anti-Sikh scenes are not removed from the film by Kangana Ranaut and the filmmakers, then legal action will be taken against them at all levels along with strong opposition”, said SGPC secretary Partap Singh. 

He added, “Separate letters were written to the Government of India’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Central Board of Film Certification’s Chairperson Prasoon Joshi to ban this film”.

Petitions from various persons and lawyers including Advocate Imaan Singh Khara, were also filed in Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking revocation of screening of the movie. 

Meanwhile, Delhi based Akali leader and former president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Parmjit Singh Sarna wrote a letter to Prasoon Joshi, Chairman of Indian Censor Board which is also known as Central Board of Film Certification, seeking ban on release of the movie. 

Sarna said, “The trailer of the film, which has recently been released, depicts erroneous historical facts that not only misrepresent the Sikh community but also promote hatred and social discord. Such depictions are not only misleading but also deeply offensive and damaging to the social fabric of Punjab and the entire nation”.

“It is apparent that Ranaut, who is notorious for her anti-Sikh rhetoric and is heavily promoted by the Godi media and the BJP’s IT cell, has chosen the subject of the Emergency not to make a genuine political or historical statement against Congress, but rather to target the Sikh community. This deliberate distortion of history to spread animosity is unacceptable and must not be allowed to reach the public through cinematic means”, added the former DSGMC chief.

It is important to remember that during the Emergency, it was the Sikh community who launched the Morchas (agitations) against the draconian measures imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Sikh organizations including Damdami Taksal and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) courted mass arrests and faced severe police brutality in their struggle to restore democracy in India. 

The film, however, completely ignores these facts and instead portrays the Sikh community in an unjust and negative light, said Sarna, adding, Given the potential of this film to incite communal tensions and spread misinformation, I strongly urge the CBFC to exercise its authority to prevent its release. 

“A thick line must be drawn between the right to freedom of speech and the propagation of hateful content that threatens the harmony of our society”, he said further.