Srinagar, Kashmir (April 09, 2013): According to reports received from Srinagar (Kashmir) Sikhs took out on streets to hold demonstrations against ban on Punjabi movie ‘Sadda Haq’ on April 08, 2013. Protesting Sikhs said that the ban on movie has resulted in violation of freedom of expression.
According to media reports hundreds of members of the community protested against the ban and demanded that ban be lifted immediately.
The movie was scheduled for release on April 5 but it was banned by Punjab government led by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on the late evening of April 04. According to government the ban was imposed to maintain peace in the state but it is learnt that the ban was imposed under pressure from high-ups in Punjab police and beureucracy, who had feared that their black past could get exposed if the movie is released.
The film is based on the events of post-1984 to mid-1990s in Punjab and depicts the untold story of the painful times.
The ban has sparked a fresh debate as the film makers have decided to approach court against the ban and Sikhs organizations have been protesting at various places across Punjab demanding release of movie.
One of the protesters at Srinagar reportedly requested the government to remove the ban so that it does not hurt the sentiments of Sikh community.
The protesters accused Center and Punjab government of adopting double-standards while dealing with sentiments of Sikh community saying that a Bollywood film starring “Jo Bole So Nihaal” was released despite protests by Sikhs.
“It is our democratic right to bring reality before the public and we request the government to lift the ban immediately,” the protester said.