"Gimmick To Defame Sikh Community, Promotes Hatred": Plea in Punjab & Haryana HC Seeks Ban On Kangana Ranaut Starrer 'Emergency'

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking ban on public release of "Emergency" movie starring Kangana Ranaut.

The plea filed by two Baptised Sikhs (Amritdhaari Sikhs) claiming to be social workers alleges that the trailer depicts erroneous historical facts and it is apparent that the movie promotes "hatred towards Sikh community" and "enmity among Hindus and Sikhs."

"That the bare perusal of the trailer of the said "Emergency" Movie would reveal the fact that between the time frame 02:37 to 02:39 minutes, people from Sikh Community have been shown to be firing indiscriminately at people ofHindu Community due to religious discrimination, by stopping a bus...", the petition stated.

It further added that in the movie trailer, between the time frame 02:32 to 02:36 minutes, "Sant ji has been shown to be striking a deal...whereby he has been shown to be promising the Congress Party Leaders to secure votes...in the General Elections." It is alleged that this episode is without any historical basis and is simply a "gimmick" to defame the Sikh Community and its religious institutions.

It is argued that the released excerpt of the film "deliberately misrepresents" the character of Sikhs and creates an "anti-Sikh narrative". It is submitted that the movie in question has full potential to "destroy the social fabric of entire nation", particularly Punjab, by hitting at the fraternity and the brotherhood of the Sikh and Hindu Communities.

The petitioners thus seek directions to Union Government and Central Board of Film Certification to call for all the records and documents of the Examination Committee as well as the Review Committee of the film and to cancel the certificate issued to it for release in public domain. It also seeks directions to delete alleged scenes targeting Sikh Community.

Advocates Imaan Singh Khara and Deepinder Singh Virk for the petitioners.

Title: Gurinder Singh & Anr. v. UOI & Ors.