CKD joins chorus to ban Kangana-starrer film

Amritsar, August 23

Days ahead of its release, actor-turned-MP Kangana Ranaut’s film ‘Emergency’ has landed in controversy after prominent Sikh organisations and leaders, including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Akal Takht, have called for a ban on the film. Now, Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD), another prominent Sikh body, has also sought a ban on the film, saying that it misrepresents the character of Sikhs. Based on the Emergency period during then PM Indira Gandhi’s tenure from 1975-1977, the film stars Kangana Ranaut as Indira Gandhi and is her first film as a director.

Chief Khalsa Diwan president and former Punjab minister Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that the golden pages of Sikh history are filled with the sacrifices of Gurus and martyrs. “It is part of a deep conspiracy against Sikhs who follow the principles of the Gurus. They have been shown as characters of hatred on the screen.” He said that the Sikh community has served humanity by becoming a pioneer in times of crisis in the country and abroad. However, Kangana Ranaut’s film ‘Emergency’ once again misrepresents history. Nijjar also criticised the actor-MP, who has been in controversy due to her anti-Sikh and anti-Punjab statements. The other executive body members also unanimously stated that through such a film that incites sentiments, the situation of brotherhood and peace in Punjab may be under threat.

Sikh hardliner and Faridkot MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa was the first to raise objections against ‘Emergency’. Later, SGPC and Akal Takht representatives also demanded a ban on the film, describing it as an attempt to character-assassinate the Sikhs. The political drama, which explores a significant and controversial period in Indian democracy, is set to hit theatres worldwide on September 6 and has a stellar star cast including Anupam Kher, Milind Soman, Satish Kaushik, Mahima Chaudhary and Shreyas Talpade.