Chandigarh – Bollywood actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut’s upcoming film “Emergency” has sparked significant controversy in Punjab ahead of its release next month. The film, which is based on former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s declaration of a state of emergency in India in 1975, has faced opposition from various Sikh groups and political leaders.
Objections from Sikh Groups
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has raised objections to the portrayal of Sikhs in the film and has demanded a ban on its release in Punjab. Additionally, leaders from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have also opposed the film and have called on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to clarify his stance on the issue.
Film Details and Controversial Depictions
The trailer of “Emergency,” released on August 14, has been criticized for depicting slain Sikh militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale as being in cohorts with Indira Gandhi, promising to bring votes for her Congress party in exchange for a separate Sikh state. Kangana Ranaut, who is now a BJP MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, plays the role of Indira Gandhi in the film, which she has also directed and produced through her company Manikarnika Films.
Political Reactions
Sikh hardliner Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, an independent MP from Faridkot, was the first to object to the film after the trailer’s release. Khalsa expressed concerns on social media that the film portrays Sikhs in a negative light, potentially leading to communal tensions in Punjab. He has urged the Punjab government to ban the film to prevent any law and order issues.
SGPC member Gurcharan Singh Grewal also criticized the film, stating that Bhindranwale has been wrongly depicted. He emphasized that Bhindranwale is revered in Sikhism and should not be shown in a negative manner.
SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, speaking to the media in Amritsar, condemned the film for its portrayal of the Sikh community. She highlighted Kangana Ranaut’s history of making controversial remarks about Punjab and its people, and questioned whether the BJP supports the film’s depiction of Sikhs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal also noted that the SAD, under former Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal, was the first political body to oppose the emergency declared by Indira Gandhi. “Mr Badal was among the first people to court arrest objecting to the imposition of the emergency, and every day, a jatha (group) of the Shiromani Akali Dal would court arrest,” she said.
BJP’s Response
When contacted, Vineet Joshi, spokesperson of the BJP in Punjab, stated that one of the main objections against the film was its portrayal of Bhindranwale as a “creation” of Indira Gandhi. He referenced journalists like Kuldip Nayar, who have documented that Bhindranwale was chosen by the Congress leadership to attract panthic voters away from the SAD. However, Nayar also noted that the Congress later regretted this decision as Bhindranwale became too influential to control. Joshi clarified that the film had been in production long before Ranaut became a BJP MP and that the party had no involvement in its creation. He added that questions regarding Bhindranwale’s depiction should be directed to the film’s producer and director.
Congress’s Stand
Punjab Congress chief and Ludhiana MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring stated that he could not comment on the matter until he had watched the trailer.
Delayed Release
The film was initially scheduled for release last November but was delayed. It was then set for launch in June, but due to the Lok Sabha elections, the release was postponed again. The film is now expected to hit cinemas on September 6.
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