Chandigarh – A delegation of Sikh youth activists led by Ranjit Singh, Yadwinder Singh Yadu and Mehar Singh today met SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami at Sector 5, Chandigarh based regional office of SGPC and asked him to issue a statement to stop Dastan-e-Sirhind movie. This movie violates established Sikh tenets by personifying Mata ji and Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Youth activists told SGPC president to take a stand on this movie and demanded that SGPC should pass a resolution forbidding personification of Sikh Gurus, families of Guru Sahib, Sahibzadas and Shaheeds in films/dramas. The SGPC president assured them that a statement will be issued from the Sri Amritsar based head office of SGPC.
Later, the SGPC issued a written statement asking the Punjab government to stop the Dastan-e-Sirhind movie. Full statement reads as follows:
SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has demanded from the Punjab Government to stop the release of Dastaan-E-Sirhind Film. In A press statement issued from his office, SGPC President said that in this film the sahibzadas of tenth Sikh Guru have been personified, due to which, there is huge protest among the sangat. He said several org. and the Sangat are expressing their protest to demand a ban on this film. He said several objections regarding this film have also reached SGPC. Harjinder Singh Dhami said nobody is above the sentiments of Sangat, therfore, representing the same, the release of this film should be stopeed immediately. He said the Punjab Gov. should take immediate action in this regard and at the same time, the film censor board should also reconsider its decision. He also clarified that the sikh body SGPC has not given a no-objection certificate (NOC) to this film. Harjinder Singh Dhami said the decsion regarding any film related to Sikh History is taken in the light of Sikh History, principles, Sikh Maryada (Code of Conduct) and traditions, therfore the SGPC is Commiteed to the sentiments of the sangat and Sikh principles in the case of this film as well. He said that the government should also decide to stop this film in respect of the Sikh sentiments on this serious issue.