SGPC requests CM Mann to stop screening of 'Emergency' in Punjab

Chandigarh: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) wrote to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday, demanding that Kangana Ranaut's Emergency be banned in Punjab, a day before the film's release.

In a letter to CM Mann, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami stated that the movie was a planned attempt to distort history and hurt Sikh emotions. He warned that releasing it would cause outrage in the Sikh community.

"It has come to our notice that the movie Emergency produced by BJP Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut is set to be screened in movie theaters across Punjab from January 17 and ticket booking has opened. We had already communicated our objections to the Punjab Chief Secretary on November 14, last year, and told that the committee had passed a resolution which states that this movie will not be allowed to be screened in the state as it has been purposely produced to defame the Sikh community."

"We had already demanded the state government to ban the movie but, till date, the government has not taken any step to ban it. If this movie is released on January 17 then as expected it will provoke the Sikh community," the letter stated.

It further added, "Besides defaming the Sikhs, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale has been shown in a bad light in the movie, which the community cannot tolerate. This film has been made with the spirit of spewing poison and spreading hatred against the community under the anti-Sikh agenda."

"Therefore it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that the movie is banned in the state, and if it is not banned then, we will have no alternative but to hold state-wide protests and not allow it to be screened," the letter stated, TNIE reported.

The film, which is slated to be released on January 17, has sparked controversy, with Sikh groups claiming that historical facts have been distorted and negative stereotypes about Sikhs have been perpetuated.

"Even in the past, there have been several instances when Sikh sentiments were hurt due to the misrepresentation of the community in films," he added.

In addition, the SGPC has written to the Deputy Commissioners of all districts, urging their intervention to guarantee that the film is not screened in cinemas.

The SGPC and other Sikh groups have expressed reservations about the film's content, which they think may misinterpret historical events or hurt sentiments, urging for decisive action by the government. Previously, a PIL was filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and the SGPC issued a legal notice to the movie's makers.