How Union Minister's stance on Satluj puts Punjab BJP in a tight spot
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu's repeated interventions in the controversy surrounding Satluj, a film based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu's repeated interventions in the controversy surrounding Satluj, a film based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, have brought forth differing voices within the BJP over one of Punjab's most sensitive and politically charged periods, the militancy era of the 1980s and 1990s. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Bittu said he had no objection to a film being made on Khalra but insisted that historical claims presented in it must be factually accurate. Referring to the film's mention of 25,000 alleged illegal cremations, he said the figure needed verification and called for the constitution of a commission to establish the actual number of police personnel, civilians, Hindus, Sikhs and militants who lost their lives during the years of insurgency in Punjab. Bittu also urged that the Ardas (congregational prayer) announced by Sri Akal Takht Sahib should commemorate all victims of the conflict, including police personnel, Hindus and Sikhs, rather than focusing on a single category.
Earlier, the Union Minister had sought documentary proof for the figure of 25,000 unidentified bodies highlighted in the film and warned of legal action if such claims could not be substantiated. The minister's remarks have sparked debate not only outside the BJP but also within the party. Commission for Minorities chairman and senior BJP leader Iqbal Singh Lalpura publicly disagreed with Bittu's position, arguing that the issue should not be unnecessarily escalated. Lalpura said the figure of 25,000 had originally been raised by Jaswant Singh Khalra and was later examined by the Human Rights Commission, adding that "there is always a limit that one should keep." Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon had earlier adopted a different stance, saying a committee had been formed to examine demands for the film's removal from OTT platforms while maintaining that there was "nothing wrong in showing the truth". Bittu's position has drawn particular attention because of his personal and political association with Punjab's anti-militancy campaign. He is the grandson of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, who was assassinated in a suicide bomb attack in 1995.
The film recreates Beant Singh's assassination, a pivotal moment in Punjab's insurgency history. Before joining the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Bittu served as a Congress MP and consistently projected himself as a strong opponent of militancy and pro-Khalistan groups. He has also been among the political leaders who have received threats from pro-Khalistan elements. Defending his stand, Bittu has argued that his grandfather sacrificed his life for the nation and not for any political party. He has also criticised actor Diljit Dosanjh over the Satluj controversy, contending that the film presents only one side of Punjab's history and does not adequately acknowledge the sacrifices made by police personnel, political leaders and civilians during the insurgency. The controversy comes at a time when the BJP is attempting to navigate a complex historical and political landscape in Punjab. At a recent event at Damdami Taksal in Amritsar, BJP leaders referred to those killed during Operation Blue Star as "martyrs", reflecting the party's efforts to engage with Sikh sentiments while also defending the state's role in combating militancy in the years that followed.
The BriefWire