Tensions rose in Punjab’s Amritsar as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) staged protests against Kangana Ranaut’s film Emergency, which was released on January 17. Heavy police forces have been stationed outside the PVR Suraj Chanda Tara Cinema to prevent any untoward incidents.
The SGPC, led by its president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, has demanded a complete ban on the film in Punjab, accusing it of being “politically motivated” and aiming to defame the Sikh community. In a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Dhami criticized the film’s portrayal of Sikh characters, particularly Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, and urged the government to halt its screening.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Dhami said, “The role of Sikh characters, especially Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, has been incorrectly portrayed in the film. Governments often play with the emotions of Sikhs, and we had already registered objections against this film’s release. Despite this, the movie is now being screened, and we have submitted a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar, requesting a halt to its release.”
A woman SGPC member echoed similar sentiments in a video shared online, stating, “After the trailer was released, objections were raised about the misrepresentation of history, which could hurt Sikh sentiments. Despite this, the film is being released. We have demanded that the Punjab government stop the film from being shown in the state.”
The SGPC has warned of protests if their demand is ignored. “If the film is released, we will stage protests against it,” the SGPC’s letter to the Chief Minister emphasized.
As protests loomed, Rekha Sharma, a guard at the Amritsar cinema hall, confirmed to ANI that the screening of Emergency had been canceled. “I am not sure about the reasons, but the film will not be shown here,” she said.
Emergency, directed and produced by Kangana Ranaut, depicts the events surrounding the imposition of the Emergency in India from 1975 to 1977. The SGPC alleges that the film presents historical events in a way that misrepresents Sikh leaders and could incite negative sentiments.
The controversy has added to the already tense atmosphere surrounding the film’s release, with authorities and cinema halls taking precautionary measures to ensure public safety. The situation in Amritsar continues to be closely monitored.