A public interest litigation (PIL) was submitted in the Punjab and Haryana High Court to reinstate the film ‘Satluj,’ featuring Diljit Dosanjh, which was taken down shortly after its digital debut on an OTT platform. The petition argues that the film’s removal, centered on activist Jaswant Singh Khalra’s quest to expose alleged disappearances during Punjab’s insurgency period, violates freedom of expression and citizens’ right to information.
The petitioner, Sharwan Singh, has listed the Central government, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Punjab government, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, and ZEE5 as respondents in the case. The PIL highlights concerns over the abrupt withdrawal of the film without any public statutory or judicial mandate, impacting the public’s right to information and artistic expression as guaranteed by the Constitution of India.
According to the petition, the sudden elimination of ‘Satluj,’ a biopic based on factual events and the life of human rights advocate Jaswant Singh Khalra, raises questions about transparency, artistic freedom, and potential undisclosed executive involvement. The film’s narrative does not compromise the nation’s sovereignty or public order, the petition emphasizes.
Meanwhile, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has announced plans to screen ‘Satluj’ across Punjab to educate the youth about the historical events and repression faced by Sikh individuals during past Congress administrations. In contrast, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu has refuted claims linking the BJP or the Central government to the film’s removal, stating that film certification and regulatory norms primarily pertain to theatrical releases, distinct from satellite TV and cable broadcasts.
