Akal Takht Jathedar Condemns Ban on Satluj, Calls It an Attack on Freedom of Expression

Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Singh Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has strongly criticised the Union Government’s decision to stop the screening of the film Satluj in India. The film, starring Diljit Dosanjh, is based on the life of human rights activist Shaheed Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra.
Describing the move as an attack on freedom of expression, the Jathedar said suppressing the history of atrocities committed against minority Sikhs at a time when human rights are being discussed across the world is unconstitutional and reflects an authoritarian mindset.
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra played a crucial role during the 1990s by documenting and exposing cases of alleged illegal cremations and extrajudicial killings of Sikh youths. He said Khalra’s efforts brought global attention to the issue and demonstrated that the truth cannot be hidden indefinitely.
Questioning the government’s decision, the Jathedar said films portraying atrocities against the majority community are allowed to be screened without restrictions, while films highlighting alleged state excesses against minority Sikhs face censorship and bans.
He urged the Centre to reconsider its decision and lift the restriction on Satluj, saying the country should be allowed to see the truth that Khalra worked to uncover.
The Jathedar also pointed out that special CBI courts in Mohali have convicted several Punjab Police personnel in fake encounter cases, arguing that these historical events have been legally examined. He said the government should adopt a sincere approach towards healing the wounds of the Sikh community stemming from the post-1984 period instead of hurting sentiments by restricting historical narratives.