The Central government has been asked by the High Court of Madhya Pradesh to clarify whether actress Kangana Ranaut’s recently released film ‘Emergency’ has been granted certification. The court’s question comes when there are increasing number of grievances and legal suits from the Sikh Community about the film accused of projecting them negatively.
‘Emergency Has A Negative Portrayal Of Sikhs,’ Allegations By The Sikh Community.
Bar and Bench also reported that, the notice of the High Court is relevant to the earlier Public Interest Litigation (PIL) instituted by Jabalpur Sikh Sangat, one of the Sikh groups which has raised a storm over the content of that film. This group of people says the film Emergency, which takes place during Indira Gandhi’s period of rule in 1975, is dangerous because the audience will be misled and the Sikh society will be portrayed negatively. The petitioners say that the film warrants a stay as its release is not in the interest of the public.
Legal and Certification Issues
NS Ruprah, senior advocate representing the Sikh body, drew attention to how the movie can distort the concept of harmony. To these issues, the High Court has directed the Union of India to clarify whether the film Emergency has been approved by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which is mandatory for the screening of the movie in the theatres.
Apart from MP, the Punjab and Haryana High Court also took up a petition by Gurinder and Jagmohan Singh, both residents of Mohali, who wanted the CBFC to cancel the exemption certificate issued for Emergency. They went on to argue that the screening of the movie should be put on hold until eminent Sikh voices endorse or oppose the documentary unless its release is further delayed. This plea was however disposed of as the the [sic] CBFC informed the court that the film in question has not yet been cleared for public’s viewing.
The screening of Emergency, which had its original release date of September 6, was delayed in the wake of these controversies. The Shiromani Akali Dal has also joined in the demand for the movie’s prohibition on grounds of portraying the Sikh community in a wrongful way.
