After being pulled from ZEE5, the controversial film ‘Satluj’ is being shown publicly across Punjab by political parties, youth groups, and religious bodies. The screenings aim to challenge the film’s disputed narrative and revive memories of a painful chapter in the state’s history.

मुख्य बिंदु (Key Takeaways)

  • ‘Satluj’ was removed from ZEE5 in India but is being screened in villages.
  • SAD, SGPC and several youth outfits are organizing open‑air showings.
  • The film’s claims have triggered a central‑government probe under IT Act Section 69A.

The controversy surrounding ‘Satluj’ erupted when ZEE5 withdrew the movie from its Indian catalogue on July 3, just days after its premiere. The biopic chronicles activist Jaswant Singh Khalra and his investigation into alleged extrajudicial cremations of roughly 25,000 bodies during the 1980‑90 insurgency in Punjab. While no public court order has been issued, a central committee is reviewing the film under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, citing possible misinformation.

Historical backdrop

Khalra, a human‑rights lawyer, documented mass cremations carried out by police in the early 1990s. His findings, later dismissed as “controversial” by some authorities, led to his mysterious death in 1995. ‘Satluj’ attempts to bring those suppressed facts to mainstream audiences, but critics argue that the numbers and narrative lack corroborated evidence, turning the film into a flashpoint for historical debate.

Political reactions

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) announced village screenings, stating that “young Punjabis must know the tragedy inflicted on Jaswant Singh Khalra and thousands of Sikh youth.” SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal warned that the state is trying to silence this chapter of history. Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing, Ravneet Singh Bittu, rejected the “creative‑freedom” defence, demanding that the producers present official records, judicial findings and authenticated data that substantiate the film’s claim of 25,000 missing bodies.

Village‑level public showings

Beyond SAD, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) led by MP Amritpal Singh (currently incarcerated under the NSA) have set up large‑screen projectors in open courtyards of gurdwaras across the state. Viewers like 42‑year‑old Randeep Dhillon of Dhilwan village describe the experience as “soul‑shaking,” recalling the “black days” of militancy that still haunt the community. He urges an outright ban be lifted so that future generations can confront the past.

Legal and societal implications

The Section 69A probe raises a broader clash between freedom of expression and national security concerns. A court‑ordered ban could inflame Sikh sentiment and fuel further protests, while a clearance might set a precedent for other contentious historical portrayals to be aired without rigorous fact‑checking.

Upcoming Ardas and possible outcomes

The Akal Takht has scheduled a special ‘Ardas’ on July 14 at Harike Pattan on the banks of the Satluj River, praying for the souls of innocent Sikh youths highlighted by Khalra’s work. This religious gathering could act as a conciliatory bridge, urging both the government and civil society to address unresolved grievances.