Sikh Body Seeks Ban On Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’ For Creating Anti-Sikh Narrative

By OB Bureau On Aug 22, 2024

New Delhi: Days before its release, Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’ has landed in big trouble. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Akhal Takht have demanded an immediate ban on the film, claiming it tries to “character assassinate” Sikhs by creating a narrative against them, News18 reported.

SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami, addressed a press conference and sought an FIR against Ranaut, expressing objection against the film. He mentioned that even in the past, there have been several instances when Sikh sentiments were hurt due to the misrepresentation of the community. Seeking a ban on the film, he called the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) ‘biased’ and urged for the inclusion of Sikh members in the censor board.

Gyani Raghbir Singh, Jathedar (head) of the Akal Takht also claimed that the film “deliberately misrepresented the character of Sikhs as separatists, which is part of a deep conspiracy.” He argued that the film “disrespects” the community and accused Kangana of “deliberately character assassinating” Sikhs. “The community can never forget the anti-Sikh brutality of June 1984 and Ranaut’s film is trying to character assassinate Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale, who has been declared a Qaumi Shaheed (community’s martyr) by Sri Akal Takht Sahib,” he said.

Singh further claimed that even though Kangana Ranaut often makes statements against Sikhs, the government isn’t taking any action against her. He further urged the authorities to book the actress-turned-politician “for inciting religious sentiments of Sikhs for her act through the film Emergency”.

Notably, Kangana Ranaut announced Emergency in 2021 but later clarified that even though it is a political drama, it is not Indira Gandhi’s biopic. The actress is playing the lead in the film and has also directed it. Besides Kangana, Emergency also stars Anupam Kher, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry and Shreyas Talpade. Shreyas Talpade is playing the role of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Anupam Kher is Jayaprakash Narayan. Late actor Satish Kaushik is former Deputy Prime Minister of India, Jagjivan Ram.

Emergency has been postponed multiple times and is now scheduled to hit theatres on September 6, 2024.