SGPC Demands Ban on Kangana Ranaut's 'Emergency' in Punjab

Ahead of the release of Bollywood actress and BJP MP from Mandi (in Himachal Pradesh) Kangana Ranaut’s controversial movie ‘Emergency’, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Thursday strongly urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to block its screening in the state. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, in a letter sent to the Chief Minister, expressed grave concerns over the film, which he claimed distorts historical facts and is an affront to Sikh sentiments.

The movie, which is set to release nationwide on January 17, has already sparked considerable controversy. Dhami has accused ‘Emergency’ of presenting a skewed version of the 1984 Operation Blue Star, during which the Indian Army stormed the Golden Temple in Amritsar, leading to the death of prominent Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. SGPC’s objections are based on what they believe to be a deliberate attempt to misrepresent history, specifically the portrayal of Bhindranwale and the events surrounding the Sikh genocide that followed the military operation.

Dhami, in his letter, stressed that releasing the movie in Punjab would lead to widespread outrage within the Sikh community. He warned that the SGPC, along with other Sikh bodies, would oppose the film’s release at the state level, urging the government to take swift action and prevent potential unrest. The SGPC had raised similar concerns in November 2024, but Dhami noted that despite their efforts, the Punjab Government had not responded adequately.

Ranaut, in an interview shared on social media, had revealed that the film had made significant changes, including the removal of Bhindranwale’s name from the script. According to Ranaut, the film’s producers were instructed to omit references to the Sikh leader and certain pre-Operation Blue Star scenes. These alterations, however, did little to quell the concerns of Sikh organizations, who see them as part of a larger pattern of historical distortion.

The SGPC’s objections are not new. Back in August 2024, the committee had issued a legal notice to the filmmakers, demanding the removal of scenes deemed offensive to the Sikh community. They also called for an apology from Ranaut and the production team for what they considered a “misrepresentation” of Sikh history. The committee took further action by sending letters to the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting and the Central Board of Film Certification, urging them to reconsider the film’s content before it was approved for release.

The growing tensions surrounding ‘Emergency’ highlight the volatile intersection of politics, history, and cinema in India. As a political figure and an actress known for her controversial statements, Ranaut’s involvement in the film has only intensified the backlash. Sikh bodies argued that the film not only misrepresents history but also undermines the dignity of the community, particularly through the alleged character assassination of Bhindranwale, a figure seen as a martyr by many Sikhs.

In response to the mounting opposition, SGPC officials have begun submitting memoranda to district authorities across Punjab, reiterating their demand for a ban. The next few days are expected to see further protests and demonstrations as Sikh groups continue to voice their anger over what they perceive as an attempt to tarnish the image of the Sikh community and distort key historical events.