Surrey: Hundreds of Sikhs protested outside a cinema hall on April 26 evening, as the cinema has holding screening of controversial Nanak Shah Fakir movie. The movie, which attempts to portray Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Ji, was released on April 17 despite massive opposition from the Sikh masses. Film producer Harinder Sikka later announced to withdraw the movie on April 21.
But on April 26, Sikh community of Surrey came to know that the movie was being screened at Strawberry Hill Cinemas in Surrey.
More than 300 Sikhs gathered outside the cinema hall to register their protest.
The protesters told concerned authorities that the film is made in clear violation of Sikh tenets which prohibits portrayal of Sikh Gurus in visual media or films etc.
The protesters criticised producer Harinder Sikka for showing double character. “Firstly Harinder Sikka released the film ignoring Sikh opposition and sentiments. When the film failed to trigger any box-office response he announced to withdraw the film proclaiming that the withdrawal was aimed at upholding the supremacy of Akal Takhat Sahib. But screening in Surrey shows that he is still trying to screen the movie” said a protester, who demanded that Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh should ‘summon Harinder Sikka to Akal Takhat Sahib and copies of his film should be confiscated and destroyed.
When Gaini Gurbachan Singh was asked about screening of the film in Surrey, he expressed ignorance. He, however, said that he would verify the fact and if its true (that the film was being screened in Surrey), due action will be taken in this matter.