Blocking Satluj screening attempt to suppress truth, freedom of expression: Akal Takht Jathedar

Amritsar, Jul 7 (PTI) The Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, on Tuesday condemned the decision to block the screening of the film Satluj, which is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, calling it an attempt to suppress freedom of expression. He claimed that at a time when human rights and freedom of expression are being widely emphasised, "preventing the truth about the atrocities against the Sikh minority in India from reaching people across the country and the world is an unconstitutional and unjust act". “During the 1990s, when Sikh youths were subjected to extra-judicial killings and fake police encounters, human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra painstakingly collected records of those who had been killed and brought the facts before the world,” Gargajj claimed. He said Khalra's story exposes one of the gravest human rights violations and demonstrates that the truth can never be permanently suppressed until “it ultimately comes to light”. He further emphasised that when films depicting atrocities against various communities, particularly the majority community, can be freely screened in the country, it is entirely inappropriate to suppress a film highlighting the persecution of the Sikh minority. The Jathedar said the Central government should display statesmanship by allowing the truth uncovered by Khalra to reach the people of the country and permit the screening of Satluj film. “The more one attempts to run from the truth, the more powerfully it emerges before the world. People should know that those who commit crimes cannot escape accountability forever,” he said. Gargajj also asked the government to adopt a sincere and serious approach "in dealing with cases related to the killings of Sikhs and the fake police encounters of Sikh youths during the decade following June 1984". He said the government should deliver justice to the Sikh community and help heal its long-standing wounds. Gargajj added that preventing the film, which portrays the atrocities committed against Sikhs before the world, has deeply hurt Sikh sentiments. The film, earlier titled "Punjab '95", focuses on Punjab in the turbulent 1990s when the state was reeling under terrorism. Directed by Honey Trehan, "Satluj" delves into the life of Khalra, who investigated the cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab from 1984 to 1994. He disappeared in 1995. The movie was stuck with the censors for more than three years, forcing the makers to release the uncut version on ZEE5 under the new title "Satluj" on July 3. However, it was removed from the platform two days later on July 5. In 2005, four Punjab Police personnel were convicted for Kalra’s abduction and murder and sentenced to seven years in prison. Two years later, the Punjab and Haryana High Court enhanced their sentence to life imprisonment. PTI JMS SUN KSI KSI