Appellate Tribunal to review Sadda Haq movie that was banned by CBFC in India

Ludhina, Punjab (January 14, 2013): As per information available with Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) the producers of “Sadda Haq” movie have appealed to Film Certification Appellate Tribunal against the ban imposed by India’s Centeral Board of Film Certification on the movie.

The Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) is a statutory body, constituted vide Section 5D of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 , under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. The Tribunal hears the appeals filed under Section 5C of the Act under which any applicant for a Certificate in respect of a film who is aggrieved by an order of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), can file an Appeal before the Tribunal.

The Tribunal has its headquarters in New Delhi. The Tribunal has a Secretary to look after its day to day affairs.

“Sadda Haq” film is said to be based on events of 1980s-90s Punjab when the Sikh struggle for freedom was on it’s rise. This period is being termed as “black phase” or “phase of terrorism” by Indian media. There are only few movies which dared to present the fact that during this period excesses were committed by Indian security forces against Sikh civilian population. As per many impartial reports by human rights bodies torture, enforced disappearances, fake or staged encounters, custodial killings and secret cremations were general practising of policing during that period which resulted in mass level systematic abuse of human rights against the civilian Sikh polution.

Gulzar’s “Maachis” had attracted both concerns and controversies as it was based on a theme tending to establish that security forces were engaged in abusive practises in Punjab during this period.

Amitoj Mann’s “Hawayein” showed November 1984 Sikh genocide’s events.

“Sadda Haq” is said to be based on story of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana and Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara who assassinated Punjab’s CM Beant Singh in 1995. Beant Singh was considered to be responsible for unleashing region of state’s terror on civilian Sikh population in Punjab besides the family member of Sikh militants or freedom fighters.

“History repeats itself unless we learn a lesson from it. It’s time to look back and know the true facts behind militant movement in Punjab” reads the description of Facebook fans page for the movie.

As per information shared by producers of movie “the appeal for Censor certification was filed with Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) on December 20th, 2012.

“They are likely to take their decision before January 20th, 2013 . We are hopeful that this time they will listen to Sadda Haq team’s point of view as well. We need your blessings and best wishes” reads a post shared by the producers on social networking site Facebook.

“FCAT will watch the Film on 16th Jan at New Delhi in the presence of CBFC and Sadda Haq Producers. After watching the film they will listen to the point of view of both the parties. They are likely to take the decision on the Same day. Let’s pray for Sadda Haq so that Truth must prevail”, Kuljinder Sidhu, actor-producer, updated status on social networking site Facebook on Saturday (January 12, 2013).