CHANDIGARH, Punjab— The Punjab government has banned the screening of the movie ‘Santa Banta Private Limited,’ which was set to be released on April 22, because it allegedly discriminates against the Sikh community. Due to growing protests, it seems like the movie may not hit the theaters in Punjab for a while.
President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Manjit Singh GK, said that the movie had hurt the sentiments of Sikh community. He said that the Punjab government should sue the filmmakers for its content.
The film revolves around two characters who are shown as Sikhs. It was given the green light by the Censor Board and the Union Government of India earlier, however the decision was challenged by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee in the Delhi High Court.
In its plea, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee stated that the movie is disheartening and will affect the Sikh community’s image. On March 23, a bench comprising of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice J. Nath asked the Santa Banta PL producers to submit a digital copy of the movie, along with all promotional material for further screening.
The Delhi High Court on April 22 refused the plea of the DSGMC that sought a stay on the release of the movie. The court said that it had no jurisdiction to stay the release of the movie. DSGMC has withdrawn its petition, however, a similar petition filed by the Punjab Cultural Heritage Board president, Charan Singh Sapra, is pending in the Bombay High Court for another hearing for April 27.
