Chandigarh : In a recent development, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed seeking to prevent the release of Kangana Ranaut’s upcoming film “Emergency,” slated for release on September 6. The petition, submitted by two Amritdhaari Sikhs, Gurinder Singh and Jagmohan Singh, alleges that the film contains scenes that deliberately misrepresent the Sikh community, fostering an anti-Sikh narrative.
The petition, represented by counsel Imaan Singh Khara and Deepinder Singh Virk, calls for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to remove specific scenes from the film that allegedly target the Sikh community. The petitioners argue that these scenes present false and misleading historical facts, potentially disrupting the social harmony in Punjab.
The controversial scenes in question, according to the petition, appear in the movie’s trailer. The petition highlights a particular segment between the time frame of 02:37 to 02:39 minutes, where Sikh individuals are depicted firing indiscriminately at Hindus, allegedly due to religious discrimination. Another scene, from 02:32 to 02:36 minutes, portrays Sant Giani Baba Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale, a revered figure in Sikhism, in a compromising light. The petitioners claim that the trailer shows him striking a deal with Congress Party leaders to secure votes, an act they assert has no historical basis and is intended to defame the Sikh community.
The petitioners are also seeking legal action against Kangana Ranaut, who is also an MP from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, and other individuals associated with the film. They have requested the Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab to register a First Information Report (FIR) under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Cinematograph Act, accusing the film’s creators of attempting to tarnish the image of the Sikh community.
Furthermore, the petition calls for the formation of a committee, monitored by the High Court, to review the film and the certification process conducted by the CBFC. The petitioners argue that this committee should include prominent Sikh personalities to ensure that the film does not promote hatred or enmity between the Sikh and Hindu communities.
The petition raises concerns about the potential impact of the film on the social fabric of Punjab, particularly the relationship between the Sikh and Hindu communities. The petitioners assert that the film’s narrative could harm the fraternity and brotherhood that exists between these communities.
As of now, the matter is yet to come up for hearing in the court.
