AMRITSAR: Kangana Ranaut’s movie “Emergency” was not screened at cinema halls in Punjab on Friday following statewide protests by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee against the movie.
An SGPC statement said that in response to the protests and the strong objections raised by the SGPC and the Sikh community, cinema managers decided not to screen the film.
Earlier, protests were held in Amritsar outside PVR Cinema (Suraj Chanda Tara), Trilium Mall, and Alpha One Mall. SGPC secretary Kulwant Singh Mann, member Bhagwant Singh Sialka, Ajaib Singh Abhiyasi, and secretary Pratap Singh led the demonstrations.
Mann said that the film misrepresented Sikh characters, a concern the SGPC had previously raised. He also expressed disappointment with the Punjab govt for not taking action to stop the film’s release.
Mann welcomed the decision by cinema managers to withdraw the film following the protests and emphasised that the SGPC would not allow it to be shown in Punjab under any circumstances. He warned of further protests if anyone attempts to screen the film.
Meanwhile, the newly-formed political party, Akali Dal Waris Punjab De, also joined the protests. Tarsem Singh, father of party president Amritpal Singh (who is currently jailed), condemned the film for its alleged anti-Sikh references. “The principles and history of Sikhism are sacred to us, and we strongly oppose any content that misrepresents or disrespects them,” he said.
