'Assault On Collective Memory, Truth': Political Row Erupts After ZEE5 Pulls Diljit Dosanjh's 'Satluj'

Published 6 July 2026 · india

'Assault On Collective Memory, Truth': Political Row Erupts After ZEE5 Pulls Diljit Dosanjh's 'Satluj' Published By, Last Updated: July 06, 2026, 07:27 IST Sukhbir Badal

'Assault On Collective Memory, Truth': Political Row Erupts After ZEE5 Pulls Diljit Dosanjh's 'Satluj' Published By, Last Updated: July 06, 2026, 07:27 IST Sukhbir Badal, the SGPC and BJP leaders reacted after ZEE5 pulled Satluj from India, with the film's withdrawal reigniting the debate over censorship. A poster of Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Satluj (Source: Facebook) The removal of Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Satluj from streaming platform ZEE5 in India has triggered a political storm, with opposition leaders and Sikh bodies condemning the move as an attack on freedom of expression. In contrast, BJP leaders said the film addresses a painful chapter in Punjab’s history that should not be ignored. ZEE5 made the film unavailable in India on Sunday, just two days after its release, saying it was doing so “in light of the current developments" and would explore “every appropriate avenue through due process" to bring it back for audiences in the country. The Honey Trehan-directed film is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra and stars Diljit Dosanjh in the lead role. The project had remained delayed for over three years amid certification issues before finally releasing on the OTT platform on Friday. SUKHBIR BADAL CALLS MOVE ‘AN ASSAULT ON COLLECTIVE MEMORY’ Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal strongly criticised the film’s removal, describing it as arbitrary and alleging that it amounted to censorship. In a post on X, Badal wrote, “Shocked and saddened by the arbitrary removal of Satluj from ZEE5 in India." Calling the film an important portrayal of Punjab’s past, he added, “A powerful film that courageously unveils Punjab’s painful history and honours the supreme sacrifice of S Jaswant Singh Ji Khalra cannot be silenced this way." Badal further said, “This is not mere censorship, it is an assault on our collective memory, truth, and freedom of expression." “I strongly condemn this move.

Punjab deserves to confront its past with honesty, not suppression," he added. Shocked and saddened by the arbitrary removal of #Satluj from #ZEE5 in India.A powerful film that courageously unveils Punjab’s painful history and honours the supreme sacrifice of S. Jaswant Singh Ji Khalra cannot be silenced this way.This is not mere censorship — it is an… pic.twitter.com/yfrkMKYq5D— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) July 5, 2026 SGPC URGES YOUNGSTERS TO WATCH THE FILM Reacting to the controversy, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Chief Secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan said the film had originally been submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022 under the title Punjab ’95. “The film was titled ‘Punjab 95’ by Diljit Dosanjh is based on the life and struggle of Jaswant Singh Khalra. The film shows incidents related to fake encounters that took place during that period… I would request all youngsters to watch this film," Mannan said. Amritsar, Punjab: SGPC Chief Secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan says, “Diljit Dosanjh has made this film and it was sent to the censor board in 2022. The film was titled ‘Punjab 95’ by Diljit Dosanjh, is based on the life and struggle of Jaswant Singh Khalra. The film shows incidents… pic.twitter.com/b1laXhjzwT— IANS (@ians_india) July 5, 2026 BJP LEADER SAYS FILM ADDRESSES A PAINFUL CHAPTER BJP Spokesperson RP Singh also weighed in on the issue, saying the violence witnessed in Punjab during the 1990s remained a painful chapter in the state’s history. “In the 90s, there was violence in Punjab, and in the name of violence, innocent people were killed, and they were murdered.