The political storm in Punjab surrounding ‘Satluj’ movie | Explained
The film 'Satluj', based on the life of activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was removed from ZEE5's Indian catalogue following a certification dispute and government scrutiny. The film's removal has sparked a political movement in Punjab, with various religious and political groups organizing public screenings to protest the suppression of historical narratives regarding the state's militancy era.
Why it matters
The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between creative freedom and state censorship in India, particularly regarding the portrayal of sensitive historical events and human rights violations.
The story so far: On July 3, the film Satluj , earlier titled Punjab‘95 was removed from OTT (Over-the-Top) offerings soon after it was premiered by ZEE5 . The film details the life of activist Jaswant Singh Khalra , who worked towards uncovering alleged extrajudicial cremations in Punjab in the traumatic phase of terrorism between the mid-1980s and early-1990s. Even as no official blocking order has been made public, reports have suggested that a central government-appointed committee is examining the film under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. The film, directed by Honey Trehan and starring Diljit Dosanjh, premiered after years of delays over a certification dispute with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). However, within two days, the platform removed the film from its India catalogue while continuing to stream it internationally through ZEE5 Global .
The article provides a balanced overview by presenting the perspectives of both the film's supporters, who view it as a historical record, and government representatives, who question the accuracy of the claims presented.
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