Congress MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring from Ludhiana has issued a legal notice regarding the upcoming docu-series ‘Lawrence of Punjab’ to the OTT platform. He demanded Zee5 to halt or postpone the series release, citing a breach of India’s Information Technology Rules of 2021. Warring expressed concerns that the series could glorify a notorious gangster, Lawrence Bishnoi, potentially promoting criminal activities.
The MP highlighted the risk of romanticizing criminal behavior through the dramatization of Lawrence Bishnoi’s life in the series. He emphasized the potential negative impact on society, suggesting that such portrayal could normalize criminal conduct and weaken the deterrent effect of the law. Warring pointed out the delicate situation in Punjab with organized crime networks and warned about the series potentially inciting emulation and hero-worship among the youth.
Referring to the Constitution of India, Warring acknowledged the right to freedom of speech but stressed that this right is not absolute. He argued that content promoting criminal behavior, especially in a sensitive social context, should be subject to reasonable restrictions. Lawrence Bishnoi, one of India’s most feared gangsters, has been involved in high-profile crimes, including the murder of Punjabi artist Sidhu Moose Wala.
Lawrence Bishnoi’s criminal activities extend to issuing threats against Bollywood actor Salman Khan. Khan, known for his involvement in a poaching case, has received heightened security measures due to the threats posed by Bishnoi.
