New Delhi/Bathinda — Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal has sharply criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, alleging it approached the Central government to have the film Satluj removed from the ZEE5 OTT platform, calling the move an attempt to suppress Sikh community sentiments.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Badal described AAP and Congress as “two sides of the same coin.” She claimed the Punjab AAP government intervened to protect the Congress by seeking the film’s removal, which depicts mass encounters during the tenure of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.
The film Satluj (previously titled Punjab 95), starring Diljit Dosanjh and directed by Honey Trehan, was released on ZEE5 on July 3, 2026, but was taken down in India within two days. ZEE5 stated it remains unavailable in the country “until further notice” while exploring legal options to restore it. The movie is based on the life and work of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated alleged extrajudicial killings and secret cremations by Punjab Police in the 1990s.
Badal argued that the removal goes against the wishes of the Sikh community, which wants the world to learn about the “extra judicial killings of youth” supervised by the Congress government and the elimination of Khalra, who exposed mass secret cremations.
Background on the Film and ControversySatluj faced significant hurdles before release, including demands for over 120 cuts from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and multiple title changes. It ultimately streamed uncut on ZEE5 globally but was pulled from Indian viewers shortly after premiere.
Jaswant Singh Khalra, a human rights activist, documented thousands of alleged disappearances and illegal cremations in Punjab during the militancy period. He was abducted by Punjab Police in September 1995 and murdered; several officers were later convicted in the case. His work was reportedly validated in parts by inquiries from the National Human Rights Commission and courts.
The film’s removal has sparked backlash from various Punjab leaders and Sikh organizations, with calls for transparency and against perceived censorship. While Badal specifically targeted AAP for allegedly approaching the Centre, other voices across parties have condemned the decision as an attempt to bury historical truths.
Harsimrat Kaur Badal, a prominent SAD leader and former Union Minister, has positioned the issue as one of historical accountability and community sentiment. She has demanded the film’s restoration and theatrical release without cuts.
The controversy highlights ongoing debates in Punjab over the portrayal of the state’s turbulent 1980s-90s period, balancing narratives of militancy, police actions, and human rights. ZEE5 has expressed gratitude for audience support and commitment to the film’s creators. Diljit Dosanjh has also spoken out, suggesting the story’s reach has expanded beyond the platform. This story is developing, with potential legal and political repercussions in the coming days.
Referances:tribuneindia.com,newindianexpress.com,en.wikipedia.org,@HarsimratBadal_,timesofindia.indiatimes.com,