SLOGANS RAISED AGAINST BADALS AND AKALI-BJP GOVT
CHANDIGARH, PUNJAB (KP) – The Badal family dominated Akali-BJP government’s decision to ban the ‘Sada Haq’ movie depicting the Sikh freedom struggle of the 1980s and 1990s was met with widespread anger and outrage across Punjab and internationally by the worldwide Sikh community and echoed through internet mediums such as Facebook and Twitter.
In a surprising last minute move, the ruling Akali Dal – BJP combine decided to ban the film on the eve of its screening on April 5th, 2013 even though the film has been cleared by the Indian censor boards on behest of anti-Sikh elements.
- Former SGPC secretary Manjit Singh Calcutta
Protests quickly spread across many towns in Punjab as news of the ban reached the Sikh community. In various cities, hundreds of Sikh youths assembled and marched in support of the movie, and shouted slogans in favor of Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara, Sant Jarnail Singh Bhinderanwale, and other heroes of the Sikh freedom movement. Slogans against Parkash Badal and his son Sukhbir Badal were also raised as protestors blamed them for working against the Sikh community's interests.
Sardar Simranjit Singh Mann, president of Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar, stated that the ban was proof that Sikhs were still slaves in India. Sardar Manjit Singh Calcutta, former MLA, and secretary of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, stated that it was utterly disgraceful for the Punjab Govt. to ban the movie ‘Sadda Haq’.
Manjit Singh issued the following statement condemning the Punjab Government’s decision:
Scenes of protests throughout Punjab and messages posted online condemning the Government's actions :
