Sikh Community in Telangana seeks a ban on Kangana Ranaut's film

Aug 30, 2024

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], August 30 : Senior Congress leader and advisor to the Telangana Chief Minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir met with a Sikh community delegation on Friday. The delegation has demanded a ban on BJP MP Kangana Ranaut's upcoming movie 'Emergency'.
The Congress leader recalled the conversation with the Sikh community delegation, where the delegation gave a presentation on the Sikh community's representation in the Indian army, and the community's contribution during the Independence struggle. "All the Sikh community of Telangana, the people responsible for the gurudwaras and the president of the society here, they came to us and gave a presentation that 12% of our people in the army. In the freedom struggle 83-84% of our people laid down their lives", said the senior Congress leader.
The party leader also said that the Sikh community is seeking a ban on the film in Telangana and claiming they will start protesting if their demands are not met. "The delegation told me the state government should ban the film, otherwise the young people of our community will protest against the film. I told them please don't protest right now, give some time to the government, we will discuss on this", added the Congress leader.
The delegation further claimed that in Kangana Ranaut's film, the community has been shown as 'traitors, terrorists and Khalistanis', and that this film is a big insult to the Sikh community. The delegation has also sent a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Telangana.
Earlier today, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Delhi also sent a legal notice to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) regarding Ranaut's film and seeking to prevent the film's release. The SAD cited concerns over the film's portrayal of historical events and figures, particularly those related to the Sikh community.
According to the notice, the film's depictions misrepresent the Sikh community and promote hatred and social discord. Sarna argues that such portrayals are misleading, offensive, and damaging to the social fabric of Punjab and the nation as a whole.
The notice also accuses Ranaut of using the film "Emergency" not to make a genuine political or historical statement against the Congress party, but to target the Sikh community.