Punjab, January 17:
Protests erupted across Punjab on Friday following the screening of Kangana Ranaut’s film “Emergency,” with state leaders accusing the movie of undermining national unity.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) voiced its opposition to the film, claiming that it misrepresents the history of Sikhism and distorts the events surrounding the 1984 tragedy.
Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring called for more oversight by governments and censor boards on films like “Emergency,” arguing that such films often present fictionalized stories that are far from the truth. He noted, “Films like this twist the facts for entertainment purposes, which is why they are successful. For example, similar to how ‘Udta Punjab’ was made, these films are created solely for their dramatic appeal and not for accurate representation. Governments and censor boards should monitor these movies, as they harm national unity and mislead audiences.”
Protests also took place outside cinemas in Dhillon Plaza and Cosmo Plaza in Zirakpur, Mohali, organized by farmer groups from Sindhupur. The farmers accused Kangana Ranaut of using offensive language against them during the ongoing farmers’ protests. Demonstrations were also reported in Ludhiana, Bathinda, and Jalandhar.
“Emergency” explores the controversial period of Indira Gandhi’s leadership and the imposition of the Emergency in a character-driven narrative.
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