New Delhi: The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee has cancelled the screening of Satluj. The film, based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra who is played by Diljit Dosanjh, was scheduled to be held at 6 pm on Friday at Bhai Lakhi Shah Vanjara Hall in Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib.
The screening had been planned following growing demand from members of the Sikh community visiting the gurdwara to watch the film, which chronicles Khalra’s efforts to expose the alleged secret cremation of around 25,000 unidentified bodies during Punjab’s militancy era.
A day before the scheduled screening, DSGMC president Harmeet Singh Kalka announced the cancellation in a video message posted on the committee’s Facebook page.
DSGMC General Secretary Jagdip Singh Kahlon told ThePrint that after committee members reviewed the film, they decided it was not appropriate to screen it inside a gurdwara because it contains scenes depicting alcohol consumption and abusive language.
“Keeping in view the decorum of the Guru’s house, this decision was taken that this movie should not be shown in the Bhai Lakhi Shah Vanjara Hall,” he said.
Kahlon said the committee’s decision was solely aimed at maintaining the sanctity of the gurdwara and that it would instead organise screenings in different parts of Delhi.
“Instead of this, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee will make efforts to show this movie in every area of Delhi,” he said.
He also urged members of the Sikh community to watch the film at these alternative venues, assuring them that the committee would facilitate the screenings.
The DSGMC announced a revised screening schedule on Friday. The film will be screened at Anarkali Colony in Krishna Nagar on 12 July, Jagat Puri A Block on 13 July, Uttam Nagar on 14 July and Rama Nagar on 15 July. All screenings will begin at 7.30 pm.
(Edited by Prashant Dixit)