Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal has called for Kangana Ranaut’s upcoming film Emergency to be reviewed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) before its release. Responding to the film’s trailer, she expressed concerns that the Sikh community should not be defamed.
SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has also demanded an immediate ban on the film, alleging it misrepresents Sikhs. He criticised the double standards in film censorship, noting that the release of Punjab ’95, a film about human rights activist Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra, was not approved despite 85 cuts, while “Emergency” was cleared swiftly despite its alleged misrepresentation of Sikhs.
The mounting criticism against Emergency has prompted Jagmohan Singh Raju, the BJP’s state general secretary and advisor to the National Commission for Minorities, to write a letter to Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw requesting him to advise the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to be “doubly diligent” before awarding any certificate to the movie.
In Emergency Kangana Ranaut portrays former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The trailer includes a Sikh character delivering controversial dialogue, sparking reactions in Punjab. “I haven’t seen the film, but if any party fought the biggest struggle during the Emergency, it was the Shiromani Akali Dal. The late Parkash Singh Badal was the first to lead the movement and get arrested along with others,” Harsimrat stated during a media interaction in Amritsar on Wednesday.
She added, “The Akali Dal fought the hardest throughout the Emergency and faced numerous arrests. If Sikhs are not portrayed correctly in the film, it could be because Kangana’s role does not allow for a fair depiction of Sikhs. History shows Kangana has used derogatory language against Punjabis, especially during the farmers’ protests, which indicates her bias.”
Harsimrat stressed that the Sikh community has made immense sacrifices for India’s independence, and their contribution to the nation should be respected. “This community stands as a shield on the borders, keeping enemies at bay. If there is anything in the film that could hurt Sikh sentiments, it should be shown to the SGPC first and anything offensive should be removed.”
She also questioned the frequent targeting of Sikhs, saying, “If you speak about unity, then why do you always label Sikhs as terrorists and impose NSA charges on the youth? This is the same community that sacrifices its life for the country.”
Commenting on the furlough given to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, she said, “I don’t even consider Ram Rahim a saint. He has committed murders and rapes, for which he has been convicted, yet he is repeatedly granted parole for political use. Meanwhile, those who have served double sentences for the sake of the community are not being released despite violations of human rights. This exposes the BJP’s double standards in politics.”
Faridkot MP demands film ban
Faridkot MP Sarabjit Singh, son of Beant Singh, who assassinated Indira Gandhi, also objected to the film. He stated, “Reports suggest that ‘Emergency’ portrays Sikhs negatively, potentially disrupting law and order. If the film depicts Sikhs as separatists or terrorists, it is a deep conspiracy aimed at inciting hatred against Sikhs. The government should take preemptive action by banning it.”
Sarabjit Singh highlighted the frequent hate attacks against Sikhs in India, arguing that the film would only fuel further hatred. He said, “Sikhs have made great sacrifices for this country, which are not adequately represented in films. Instead, every effort is made to defame Sikhs. To maintain communal harmony, objectionable films or songs should be banned.”
‘Ensure Emergency doesn’t hurt Sikh sentiments’: Punjab BJP leader to Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
Raju, who contested the Punjab Assembly elections as BJP candidate from Amritsar East, has appealed to Ashwini Vaishnaw to be “overcautious” and ask CBFC to ensure that “the movie has no content that could be construed as hurtful to Sikh sentiments.”
In his letter to the minister, Raju stated, “There is an undercurrent of resentment brewing in Punjab against the movie titled ‘Emergency’. A section of people in Punjab is incensed that Sikhs, in their opinion, have been depicted maliciously in this movie. Though the movie is yet to be released, seemingly they have drawn this conclusion from the official trailer of the movie. This narrative is gaining traction after credible Sikh religious bodies like SPC lent their weight to such apprehensions.”
He mentioned that he has got the feedback that “Sikh sentiment is being aroused by citing alleged aberrations in the movie. In the current situation, it would be prudent to be overcautious. I would therefore request you to advise Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to be doubly diligent and, before awarding any certificate, thoroughly satisfy itself that the movie has no content that could be construed as hurtful to Sikh sentiments,” he wrote in letter.
In "Emergency," Kangana Ranaut portrays former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. (Express Archives) 
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