Chandigarh, July 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Senior Vice President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit), Parminder Singh Dhindsa, and senior party leader Sarwan Singh Phillaur on Monday alleged that the removal of the film Satluj from an OTT platform shortly after its release was a sign of “undeclared censorship” and an attempt to prevent the truth from reaching the public.
In a joint statement issued through the party’s Media In-charge Tejinder Singh Pannu, the two leaders said the film, originally titled Punjab 95, is based on the life and struggle of noted human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who served as General Secretary of the Human Rights Wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal.
‘Film Faced Years of Censorship’
Dhindsa and Phillaur said the film remained pending with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) since 2022 and was unable to secure a theatrical release after the Board allegedly sought 127 cuts and modifications.
According to them, implementing such extensive changes would have stripped the film of its original narrative and message.
The leaders said that although the film was eventually released on an OTT platform under the title Satluj, its removal within 48 hours had once again raised serious concerns over freedom of expression.
‘Truth Should Not Be Suppressed’
The SAD (Punar Surjit) leaders alleged that the decision to withdraw Satluj reflected an unwillingness on the part of those in authority to allow the public to view what they described as the truth about the atrocities committed against Sikhs.
“If governments are unwilling to even allow these painful realities to be seen, how can they ever be expected to deliver justice or heal the wounds of the victims?” they said.
They further alleged that the episode highlighted what they termed a discriminatory approach towards Sikh-related issues, claiming that laws appeared to be applied differently when matters concerning the Sikh community were involved.
Drawing comparisons with films such as The Kashmir Files and Emergency, which were released publicly, the leaders questioned why films portraying what they described as historical events relating to Sikhs continued to encounter hurdles.
Demand for Release Under Original Title
Dhindsa and Phillaur demanded that the film be released immediately under its original title, Punjab 95, without any cuts, alterations or changes.
They said the public should be allowed to watch the film in its original form and draw its own conclusions.
The statement added that preventing the screening of Satluj not only undermined artistic freedom but also denied audiences an opportunity to engage with an important chapter of Punjab’s contemporary history. The leaders urged the authorities concerned to ensure that the film is restored without further delay and allowed to reach viewers in its original form under the title Punjab 95.
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