Community Screenings Help Censored Film on Indian Insurgency Circulate Despite Government Ban GURDASPUR, India — As twilight settled over the fields of Gurdaspur, villagers gathered in the courtyard of a Sikh temple to watch a film that had been blocked by Indian authorities. The movie, titled Satluj, recounts the true story of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated thousands of disappearances and extrajudicial killings during a government crackdown on a separatist insurgency in Punjab during the 1980s and early 1990s. The screening, attended by elderly survivors of the conflict and younger generations born after its end, marked a quiet defiance against censorship. The film, originally named Punjab 95, faced a three-year delay after India’s censor board demanded over 120 cuts. Despite efforts to secure a theatrical release, it premiered on the ZEE5 streaming platform last week but was swiftly removed from Indian platforms two days later. The takedown sparked an unintended consequence: grassroots screenings organized by Sikh groups, activists, and residents. These events transformed temple courtyards and village halls into makeshift cinemas, where audiences watched not just a film but a collective retelling of Punjab’s most violent chapter. The insurgency, which pitted Sikh separatist groups seeking independence for Khalistan against Indian security forces, claimed thousands of civilian, militant, and police lives. Rights groups documented allegations of enforced disappearances, custodial killings, and secret cremations. Khalra’s investigation alleged that thousands of missing persons were cremated anonymously by police without notifying families or maintaining records. Khalra himself was abducted in 1995 and later killed, with several police officers convicted in connection with his murder.#narendra_modi #jaswant_singh_khalra #zEE5 #gurdaspur #sikh_temple
Film 'Sutluj' Sparks Public Screening Movement in Punjab Amid Government Ban The documentary film Sutluj, directed by Honey Trehan and starring Diljit Dosanjh as historical figure Jaspal Singh Khalsa, ignited a wave of public screenings across Punjab villages after its OTT release was abruptly blocked. Launched on ZEE5 on July 4, 2026, the film was removed within 48 hours, sparking debates over censorship and historical accountability. Blocked Release, Public Resistance The film, which dramatizes the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and the resistance led by Jaspal Singh Khalsa, faced immediate government intervention. Officials cited "sensitive content" as the reason for its removal, though critics argue it highlights the plight of innocent Sikhs during the riots. Despite the ban, communities in Punjab, particularly in villages like Manchoopra and Mogha, organized unauthorized screenings, defying authorities. Community Solidarity and Emotional Impact Residents, including families who lost loved ones during the 1984 riots, gathered to watch the film, which they describe as a "necessary reckoning." One villager stated, "After seeing the film, the wait for justice for our families ended. We learned truths we never knew." The screenings, often held in gurdwaras, drew crowds, with attendees sharing stories of loss and resilience. Actor and Director's Stance Diljit Dosanjh, who portrayed Khalsa in the film, publicly endorsed the grassroots screenings, urging viewers to "keep the film alive." His Instagram live sessions highlighted the film's reach, showcasing images of villagers watching the film despite restrictions. Director Honey Trehan also appealed to audiences to "wait patiently" for a legal release, warning against unauthorized downloads.#diljit_dosanjh #film_sutluj #jaspal_singh_khalsa #khalsa_mission_organization #zEE5
