The Punjab government on Thursday imposed a ban on the screening of Sadda Haq, a film claimed to be based on the events in the 1980s and 1990s when the state suffered from militancy. The film was scheduled for release on Friday.
The decision to ban the film was taken at a meeting headed by the Punjab chief secretary in Chandigarh after a special screening of the movie. An official spokesperson said the release of the film was banned "to maintain communal harmony in the state". The film will not hit the theatres in the state "till further orders", the government said.
Sadda Haq is claimed to portray several issues, including the murder of a human rights' activist, alleged police torture, fake encounters, jailbreak and the assassination of a politician.
Sources said the screening panel thought the film could disturb communal peace in Punjab. Earlier, the Central Board of Film Certification had declined to give a certificate to the movie.
The film was later cleared by the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT). The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) - the apex religious body of Sikhs - had extended its support to the film after learning that the censor board had objected to a slogan in the film 'Raaj Karega Khalsa' (the pure would rule), which is commonly used in Sikhism. A promotional song of the film on YouTube has already caused a stir.
Baghi (rebel)- a song sung by Jazzy B- apparently equates the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, and several freedom fighters with militants Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Jagtar Singh Hawara and Balwant Singh Rajoana. The song, however, is not a part of the film.