PIL in Madhya Pradesh High Court against the depiction of Sikhs in the controversial film
Team Clarion
BHOPAL – The controversy surrounding Kangana Ranaut’s upcoming film Emergency has deepened, with Sikh organisations filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, demanding a ban on its release. The film, scheduled for release on September 6, has sparked outrage within the Sikh community, who claim that it portrays them in a negative light.
The PIL, submitted by Sikh Sangat Jabalpur and Shri Guru Singh Sabha Indore, argues that the film has hurt the sentiments of Sikhs by depicting them as violent and dangerous. Specifically, the petition highlights scenes in which four Sikhs are shown shooting Hindus and demanding Khalistan, a portrayal that the petitioners claim tarnishes the image of the Sikh community. The petitioners, Sardar Manjit Singh Bhatia from Indore and Sardar Manohar Singh from Jabalpur, are urging the court to cancel the film’s certification and prevent its release.
The case will be heard by a division bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, consisting of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf. The petition also demands that the film be screened for Sikh officials in Indore and Jabalpur before its release, for a thorough assessment of the film’s plot and the depiction of Sikhs.
Amidst the growing controversy, Kangana Ranaut addressed the issue in a video statement, revealing that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had initially granted a certificate to Emergency but later withdrew it due to the backlash and threats. She expressed her distress over the situation, stating, “There is pressure on us not to show Indira Gandhi’s assassination, Bhindranwale, and the Punjab riots. I don’t know what to show in the film then. I am very sad to see the situation in the country.”
The film’s depiction of Indira Gandhi’s life during the controversial Emergency period has been contentious since the release of its trailer. The Sikh community, particularly in Jabalpur, has actively protested against the film. On Friday, members of Sikh Sangat Jabalpur, along with former BJP minister Harendra Singh Babbu, led a protest rally, submitting a memorandum to the district collector addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding a ban on the film. They asserted that the film’s portrayal of the Sikh community is unacceptable and called for immediate action.
Directed by and starring Kangana Ranaut, the film has already stirred significant controversy, and the legal challenge from Sikh organisations has further complicated its release.
