Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has strongly criticized the sudden removal of the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer biographical drama "Satluj" from streaming platform ZEE5 in India, just one day after its release. Sandhwan called for democratic debate on historical facts and perspectives rather than suppression.
Speaker Calls for Open Debate
Sandhwan expressed serious concern over the takedown, stating that ideas, perspectives, and historical facts should be debated openly through constitutional and democratic means. His remarks come amid mounting political outrage in Punjab, with several leaders and Sikh organizations denouncing the removal as an attack on freedom of expression.
Film's Content and Context
"Satluj," originally titled "Ghallughara" and later "Punjab '95," is directed by Honey Trehan. It portrays the real-life story of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a bank employee-turned-human rights activist played by Dosanjh. Set against the backdrop of militancy and counter-insurgency operations in Punjab in the early 1990s, the film depicts Khalra's investigation into municipal records that alleged the extrajudicial killing and secret cremation of over 25,000 unidentified persons by Punjab Police.
Khalra was abducted from his home in September 1995, shortly after raising the issue internationally, including before the Canadian House of Commons. He was later tortured and killed in police custody. In 2005, several police personnel were convicted in the case, with the High Court subsequently upholding life sentences.
Political and Public Reaction
The removal has sparked widespread outrage in Punjab. According to government sources cited in earlier reports, "anti-India forces could have exploited it" as a reason for the takedown. Meanwhile, Dosanjh responded to the removal by saying, "No worries now, everyone has downloaded it," indicating the film is being circulated via WhatsApp despite the ZEE5 takedown.
Sandhwan emphasized that historical facts should not be suppressed but debated openly. The incident has reignited discussions about censorship and freedom of expression in India's digital space.
