Jailed pro-Khalistani MP Amritpal Singh’s party screens ‘Satluj’ across Punjab; shares old video of Singh praising Khalra on social media

Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) screens Satluj in Punjab villages after Zee5 removal
Downloaded copies of Satluj are being screened across Punjab by pro-Khalistani MP Amritpal Singh's party after the film’s Zee5 removal. (Image: Tribune/t2online)

Following the removal of ‘Satluj’, a film based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, from the OTT platform Zee5, pro-Khalistani MP Amritpal Singh’s party, Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), has started organising public screenings of the film across Punjab. Downloaded copies of the film are reportedly being shown in villages using projectors and large screens. Amritpal Singh is currently lodged in a jail in Assam, facing serious National Security Act (NSA) charges.

According to media reports, the screenings are being held at several places in the Majha region. On 7th July, the film was screened in Pandori village in Amritsar district, Shekhupura and Panjwar villages in Gurdaspur district, and several villages in Tarn Taran district.

Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) pushes screenings

In a statement, Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) leader Rashpal Singh Sosan said that screenings were held in Daroli Bhai and Ghal Kalan villages. He claimed that a large number of people attended the screenings. He added that the party planned to organise screenings in four villages of Moga on 8th July.

A cursory look at Sosan’s social media also showed how the party is promoting the film. His posts show public screening arrangements and appeals to people to watch the film.

He had also shared an old video of jailed MP Amritpal Singh praising Jaswant Singh Khalra.

Sosan claimed that attempts to stop the film would not prevent people from learning about Khalra’s life and sacrifice. He said Khalra had laid down his life while revealing the truth and claimed that the facts shown in the film could not be suppressed by restricting its availability.

Screenings follow Diljit Dosanjh’s remarks

Notably, a few days ago, actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh had openly said that he was not worried about the film being pulled down. He had said that people would have already downloaded the movie.

While Zee5 had appealed to people not to watch or circulate the pirated version of the film, the public screenings now being organised in Punjab appear to be in line with what Diljit had said.

Since the film has been removed from the OTT platform, the copies being screened in villages are clearly downloaded versions. Furthermore, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has already set up a three-member review committee to examine the content and circumstances surrounding the removal of the film.

The movie was named ‘Ghallughara’ and renamed ‘Punjab 95’ before being released under the title ‘Satluj’. It remained stuck for three years as the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had sought several cuts in the film, which the makers did not agree to. The film was released quietly on 3rd July on Zee5 and removed on 6th July without clearly stating the reason. The film, while unavailable in India, is available on Zee5’s international platform.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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