Days after the launch of the trailer for Kangana Ranaut’s film Emergency, controversy has erupted as leading Sikh organizations demand an immediate ban on the movie. The Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of the Sikhs, alongside the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), has voiced strong objections, alleging that the film misrepresents Sikh figures and disrespects the community’s historical narrative.
During a press conference, SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami expressed his concerns, claiming that the film intentionally portrays Sikhs negatively. He accused the filmmakers of attempting to “character assassinate” Sikhs, particularly Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a figure regarded as a martyr by many in the community.
The controversy revolves around Emergency, a political drama depicting the tumultuous period of India’s Emergency in 1975. Kangana Ranaut stars as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, focusing on her political journey and the challenges she faced. However, Sikh leaders have criticized the representation of Sikh characters and events in the film.
Gyani Raghbir Singh, the Jathedar (head) of the Akal Takht, condemned the film for portraying Sikhs as separatists and misrepresenting their historical role. He described the film’s depiction as part of a “deep conspiracy” aimed at creating an “anti-Sikh narrative.” Singh emphasized the sensitivity surrounding the events of June 1984, a time of significant strife for the Sikh community, and asserted that Emergency disrespects the memory of Sikh martyrs.
In addition to calling for a ban, the SGPC has urged legal action against Kangana Ranaut, asking authorities to file an FIR against her for allegedly inciting religious sentiments. Dhami criticized the government for seemingly protecting Ranaut despite her controversial past statements regarding Sikhs and Punjab.
The SGPC president has further called on the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting to take swift action, stressing that the Sikh community has historically suffered from misrepresentation in films. He advocated for the inclusion of Sikh members in the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to ensure that Sikh sentiments are honored in Indian cinema.
Emergency, featuring a stellar cast that includes Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, and the late Satish Kaushik, is set to hit theaters worldwide on September 6, 2024. As the controversy unfolds, filmmakers have yet to address the mounting calls for a ban.
