SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami urged Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to impose a ban on the movie.

Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut on Friday expressed her strong disapproval of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s (SGPC) demand for a ban on her film “Emergency.” In her statement, she described the call for a ban and the restrictions placed on screenings in parts of Punjab as “complete harassment” of both art and the artist. Kangana emphasized that such actions were an infringement on creative freedom and artistic expression, which are essential to the entertainment industry.

She also voiced concern over the impact of such restrictions on the freedom of filmmakers to tell stories, particularly when it comes to portraying significant historical events. The controversy surrounding the film and its screening has ignited a debate on the balance between artistic freedom and community sensitivities. Despite the SGPC’s objections, Kangana remained firm in defending the film, asserting that it was a work of art meant to provoke thought and not to harm any sentiments.

On Thursday, SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami wrote a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, demanding a ban on Kangana Ranaut’s movie Emergency, which was set to release nationwide on Friday. The letter cited concerns over the film’s content and its potential to offend religious and community sentiments. Despite the demand, the movie was officially released on Friday, with screenings already planned across the country. This call for a ban has sparked controversy, with differing opinions on the matter emerging from various quarters, including Bollywood and political circles.

Following protests by SGPC members, many cinemas in Ludhiana, Amritsar, Patiala, and Bathinda chose not to screen Emergency. The protests were in response to the film’s content, which the SGPC claimed could hurt religious sentiments. To maintain law and order, the authorities deployed police force outside malls and cinemas in these cities, ensuring security in the wake of the unrest. This heightened security presence highlighted the tense situation surrounding the film’s release, as cinemas faced pressure to either comply with the protests or risk potential disturbances.

Kangana Ranaut strongly criticized the situation, stating, “This is complete harassment of art and the artist. From Punjab, many cities are reporting that these people are not allowing Emergency to be screened.” She expressed her disappointment over the actions of those preventing the film from being shown, emphasizing that such behavior infringes on creative freedom. Kangana argued that the suppression of artistic expression not only affects filmmakers but also deprives audiences of the opportunity to engage with important narratives. Her comments reflected frustration with the ongoing attempts to block the film’s screenings in several cities across Punjab.

Kangana Ranaut took to X (formerly Twitter) to address the controversy, saying, “I have utmost respect for all religions and after studying and growing up in Chandigarh, I have closely observed and followed Sikh religion. This is a complete lie and propaganda to tarnish my image and harm my film #Emergency.” The Bollywood star, who is also a BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi, vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that the claims against her were false and part of an effort to damage her reputation and disrupt the success of her film.

The 38-year-old actor-director Kangana Ranaut was responding to a post by Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, who voiced support for the call to ban Emergency. Khaira criticized Ranaut, claiming that she is a known critic of farmers and Sikhs, without understanding their significant contributions to the country. In her response, Kangana denied these allegations, defending her respect for all religions, particularly Sikhism, and rejecting the accusations as part of a deliberate campaign to undermine both her and her film Emergency.

Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira further emphasized his stance, stating, “SGPC is our elected representative body and @BhagwantMann should take immediate steps to ban the film that depicts Sikhs in bad light and brings defamation to our state of Punjab and its people.” Khaira’s comments reinforced the call for a ban on Emergency, accusing the film of misrepresenting Sikhs and damaging the reputation of Punjab and its citizens.

The political drama Emergency, directed by and starring Kangana Ranaut in the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, focuses on the 21 months of the Emergency period in India from 1975 to 1977. The film explores the intense political and social climate during this time, highlighting the significant events and the impact of the emergency rule on the country and its people. Kangana’s portrayal of Indira Gandhi and the film’s handling of this controversial chapter in Indian history have been subjects of debate and criticism, especially from political figures and groups concerned about its portrayal of certain communities and individuals.

Emergency, which has been at the center of controversy over its censor certificate and allegations of misrepresenting the Sikh community, was finally released across the country on Friday after several delays. The film’s portrayal of key historical events during India’s 1975-1977 Emergency period has sparked debates, particularly over its depiction of the Sikh community, leading to calls for a ban from various political and religious groups. Despite these controversies, the film made its nationwide debut, with tensions surrounding its content continuing to fuel public discussions.

In August last year, the SGPC sent a legal notice to the producers of Emergency, alleging that the film “misrepresented” the character and history of Sikhs. The SGPC demanded that the producers remove objectionable scenes that, according to them, depicted “anti-Sikh” sentiments. This legal action marked the beginning of a heated controversy surrounding the film, with the SGPC calling for the removal of content that they claimed could hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community.

Courtesy: News18 India

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