since then Diljit Dosanjh‘Satluj’ was released on OTT and removed within 48 hours, there has been a lot of debate and controversy surrounding the matter. With the CBFC claiming that the film was released uncut on the platform without completing the certification process, there has been a lot of backlash online over the delay. According to the latest updates on the film, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara management committee has announced that they will go ahead with the screening of ‘Satluj’ despite the ongoing OTT ‘ban’.
Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee to celebrate the screening of ‘Satluj’
ANI reported that the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, also known as the DSGMC, has opposed the ban on the film and instead announced that they will hold public screenings and seminars of ‘Satluj’ soon.DSGMC President Harmeet Singh Kalka issued a statement on the same, sharing that the film is about activist Jaswant Singh Khalra and his efforts to investigate and uncover the alleged human rights violations and illegal cremations in Punjab that took place in 1995, and banning the film is not right.His statement further said, “Since this film is a biographical depiction of Jaswant Singh Khalra, it shows how a social activist opened people’s eyes to the truth. He uncovered evidence of 25,000 bodies that had been cremated as ‘unclaimed’ and raised the issue not only within the country but also internationally, highlighting the dire situation in Punjab, which suppressed the dire situation in Punja. from reaching the public, is deeply wrong and has caused immense outrage in the Sikh community.“He also confirmed that the committee will hold screenings of the film and there will also be seminars to explain more details about Khalra’s life at various educational institutions. He further added, “We have asked all the Gurdwara committee members to come down and screen the film in their respective areas to ensure that it reaches the audience. Also, we will soon call a meeting with the presidents of our schools and colleges. Seminars on Jaswant Singh Khalra will be organized in each university to discuss his life and legacy. We want people to realize the impact that a single social activist can have on society. If one individual can achieve so much, there’s no reason why we can’t all work together to do the same.”
What is going on with ‘Satluj’
By 2022, Honey Trehan had completed ‘Satluj’ and applied for certification with the CBFC; however, the process was delayed for almost 4 years. Now, after much struggle, the uncut version was released on ZEE5. The film’s theatrical release was blocked because more than 120 cuts were suggested for the final film, which neither the filmmaker nor Diljit Dosanjh wanted.Two days after being available for streaming, the film was pulled from the platform. The streaming website had also issued a statement on the matter, stating that they were grateful for the support that ‘Satluj’ had been receiving and are doing their best to get it back on the platform.This was followed by public outrage, along with many people sharing illegal download links of the film on social media platforms.