Amritsar (National Times): Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) President Simranjit Singh Mann has issued a strong condemnation of the protests surrounding Punjabi actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh’s upcoming film ‘Sardar Ji 3’, which features Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. Mann called the controversy an unjustified attack on Sikhism, the Gurmukhi script, and Punjabi culture, framing it as an extension of political agendas targeting minority identities.
“This protest is not just against a film, but against the symbols of Sikh identity – the turban, the Gurmukhi script, and Punjabi art,” Mann stated, denouncing the opposition in the strongest terms. He emphasized that cinema is a form of art and business, and actors are professionals portraying assigned roles, not advancing any political or religious ideology.
Mann applauded Diljit Dosanjh for promoting Punjabi and Sikh identity on international platforms, highlighting the actor’s impactful projects such as ‘Punjab 95’, which explored the trauma of the 1984 Sikh genocide and also faced censorship challenges. He praised Dosanjh’s recent appearance at the Met Gala, where he represented Sikh symbols like the turban and kirpan with pride.
He accused the central government and Hindutva ideologies of systematically attempting to suppress Punjabi and Sikh voices. “This is part of a larger effort to silence regional and religious identities under the pretext of nationalism,” Mann alleged.
Commenting on the backlash against Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, Mann stated, “If she’s Pakistani, let us remember, our roots too lie in that land. We share a history, culture, and language.” He further criticized the Indian government’s policy of restricting the Indus River waters to Pakistan, calling it “a conspiracy against Punjab and the Sikh community.”
The Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) has called upon Punjabis across the world to safeguard the freedom of artistic expression, support Diljit Dosanjh, and stand against any moves to stifle Punjabi culture, cinema, and identity.
The party has also urged the government to lift any informal bans or restrictions placed on the film and allow its unhindered release.
