Sukhbir Badal condemns ban of Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj on Zee5 India: ‘Assault on freedom of expression'

DAys after its relinquish on Zee5 bharat, Satluj, before titled Punjab 95, was taken shoot down from the streaming program on Sunday. The film was put on "pause" in India amid positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, but also criticism from political leaders.Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal criticised the move, saying he was “shocked and saddened” by the removal of the film from Zee5. He added that a “powerful” film that shows Punjab’s “painful history” cannot be silenced.Taking to X, Badal wrote, “Shocked and saddened by the arbitrary removal of #Satluj from #ZEE5 in India. A powerful film that courageously unveils Punjab’s painful history and honours the supreme sacrifice of S. Jaswant Singh Ji Khalra cannot be silenced this way.” “This is not mere censorship — it is an assault on our collective memory, truth, and freedom of expression. I strongly condemn this move. Punjab deserves to confront its past with honesty, not suppression.”SAD MP from Bathinda, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, also criticised the move, saying, “such actions cannot conceal that dark era in Punjab when the Congress government abducted and killed our youth.”In a post on X, she said, "It is deeply unfortunate that the film "Satluj," which depicts the life of Shaheed Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra, has been removed from the Zee platform in India. Bhai Khalra championed the cause of the unidentified bodies, challenged the government, and ultimately embraced martyrdom." "I strongly condemn this decision and demand that the ban on the film be lifted."‘Stand firmly by it’, says Zee 5 after removalThe OTT platform released a statement after striking down the movie, saying they ‘firmly stand by the film’ despite it being taken down due to ‘current developments’.“At Zee 5, we stand firmly by Satluj and the creative vision behind it. We believe powerful storytelling has the ability to inspire, endure and leave a lasting impact. We remain committed to championing authentic and meaningful narratives,” the platform said in a statement.Also Read: Harbhajan Singh reviews Diljit Dosanjh, Honey Trehan's Satluj: ‘Truth cannot remain buried’“In light of the current developments, Satluj will be unavailable in India until further notice. We remain committed to exploring every appropriate avenue through due process to bring the film back to our audiences at the earliest opportunity.” They ended the note with, “Our commitment to creators and to stories told with conviction, artistic integrity and purpose remains unwavering.” The Honey Trehan-directed movie was released without any cuts on Friday on the platform after being stuck in censorship for over three years. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), had reportedly asked for an unprecedented 127 cuts, causing delay in getting a clearance from the censor board and forcing the makers to postpone planned releases.Originally titled ‘Punjab 95’, the film was set to release with no cuts on February 7, except in India. However, the release did not happen.‘Will be taken down, you download it’, says DiljitThe lead actor in the movie, Diljit Dosanjh appears to have predicted this move. In an Instagram LIVE with his audience on Saturday, Dosanjh, responding to a question whether the movie would be taken down, said, “Today is Saturday. I feel it could be taken down by Monday. But no worries, you download it.”After the release of the movie on Zee 5, the actor on Instagram said, “Finally After 4 Years of Fight.. SATLUJ #Panjab95 is Released on @zee5 Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra Ji Nu Lakh Lakh Parnaam (folded hands emoji) (A million salutations to martyr Jaswant Singh Khalra).”“Mai Aksar Team Nu Pushda Rehnda C Ke Eh Film Kadey v Ni Augi? Asi Apni Kahani Nhi Das Sakde? Khalra Saab Di Avaaz Nu 1995 ch v Dabaa Dita Geya.. Te Aj V Ona Di Avaaz Nu Dabaa Rahe Aa.. Asi Kithey Khadey An? Kang Bhaji Always Mainu Kehnde c Samaa Badluga film Ek Din Zarur Release Hougi. SHUKAR SHUKAR BAS SHUKAR,” he added.Also Read: Diljit Dosanjh claims Satluj is ‘one of the hardest films’ of his career: ‘I had to take a week off to process’The movie not only faces censorship in India but also internationally. Satluj was set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023, but it was pulled from the schedule just a day before its screening. At the time, Variety quoted a source saying that "political forces were at play," though the festival never officially shared a reason for the last-minute decision.About the movieSatluj tells the story of a human rights activist, Jaswant Singh Khalra (played by Dosanjh), who investigated the cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab during a 10-year period from 1984 to 1994, before disappearing in 1995.The movie also stars Arjun Rampal, Kanwaljit Singh, Suvinder Vicky and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan in key roles.