Political parties and Sikh bodies in Punjab have strongly condemned the removal of Diljit Dosanjh's film 'Satluj' from the ZEE5 streaming platform, arguing that the movie forces India to confront one of the state's 'darkest chapters' and that history must be addressed with honesty, not suppressed through censorship.
Film Removed from ZEE5 Within Two Days of Release
The film, originally titled 'Punjab 95' and based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was released in India on ZEE5 on Friday. However, it became unavailable on the platform just two days later. The movie had been stuck in censorship for over three years before its release.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed shock and sadness over what he called an 'arbitrary removal.' In a post on X, he said, 'This is not mere censorship, it is an assault on our collective memory, truth and freedom of expression.' Badal added, 'A powerful film that courageously unveils Punjab's painful history and honours the supreme sacrifice of S. Jaswant Singh Ji Khalra cannot be silenced this way.'
Congress and AAP Leaders Speak Out
Senior Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira strongly condemned the removal, referencing the police brutality depicted in the film. 'We all know about the gross human rights violations prevalent then in Punjab and the subsequent mysterious disappearance of Prof Jaswant Singh Khalra. The removal of this fact based film is in contradiction to the decision of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India that upheld the conviction of guilty police officers responsible for the abduction of Prof Khalra,' Khaira said in a post on X.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and MP Malvinder Singh Kang stated, 'Propaganda-driven films such as The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Story were promoted and screened without obstruction. Yet when a film raises uncomfortable questions about the human rights violations and atrocities in Punjab, it disappears from an OTT platform. Why? Who is afraid of Punjab's truth?' Kang further said, 'By blocking #Satluj, the @BJP4India has exposed its true face. It is yet another reminder of its deep discomfort with Punjab's truth and its persistent prejudice against Punjab.'
SGPC and Congress MP Demand Reinstatement
Kulwant Singh Manan, chief secretary of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), asserted that the public should know what happened during those days in Punjab. 'The film should not have been removed from the platform. The government should ensure that people see this film. What is wrong if reality is shown and public come to know of what happened during those days in Punjab,' Manan said.
Congress MP from Patiala, Dharamvira Gandhi, called the removal 'unfortunate' and an attack on freedom of expression. He said the film sought to acquaint younger generations with the turbulent period Punjab witnessed during the 1990s and raised important questions related to human rights and governance.
Background of the Film and Khalra's Story
The Honey Trehan-directed movie features Diljit Dosanjh in the role of Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated the cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab over a 10-year period from 1984 to 1994. Khalra himself disappeared in 1995. In 2005, four Punjab Police personnel were convicted for his abduction and murder and sentenced to seven years in prison. Two years later, the Punjab and Haryana High Court enhanced their sentence to life imprisonment.
The film had previously faced hurdles with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which reportedly demanded 127 cuts. It was scheduled for a world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2023 but was removed from the line-up without explanation. The movie was also slated for a worldwide release on February 7, 2025, under its earlier title 'Punjab '95', but that release did not happen.
ZEE5 Statement
On Sunday evening, ZEE5 issued a statement saying, 'In light of the current developments, 'Satluj' will be unavailable in India until further notice. We remain committed to exploring every appropriate avenue through due process to bring the film back to our audiences at the earliest opportunity.'
