Demand to screen MSG-2: Dera followers lift dharna after ‘Sukhbir’s assurance’

[related-post]

“Our stand is the same as it was on day one. We have clarified that it is an issue between the theatre owners and the movie distributors. We had no role to play as there is no ban from our side. Over 150 movies are released in Bathinda every month, so we cannot intervene between distributors and theatre owners regarding screening of movies,” said the Bathinda deputy commissioner Basant Garg.

There was, however, huge relief for commuters, particularly train passengers, at the protest being called off. Over 60 trains had been cancelled during the duration of the stir, which began on Friday afternoon.

The railways has apprehended revenue loss in crores for the two-and-a-half day disruption.

Lukewarm opening in Haryana While followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda are protesting the non-screening of MSG-2 in Punjab’s theatres, the movie has been receiving a luke-warm response Haryana’s Dabwali region, which borders Punjab.

The movie had been released on Friday. Sources said that against the capacity of 1500 seats in three shows in one of the theatres of Dabwali, not more than 400 had seen the movie. “The dera followers could have seen the movie by going to Dabwali. At least the dera followers of Malaut and Bathinda could have gone as it is very close,” said a Muktsar resident.