Son of Sardar controversy – trouble ahead for Ajay Devgn?

Ludhiana, Punjab (November 18, 2012): According to information available with Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) a local court in Punjab is scheduled to hold hearing for summoning Ajay Devgn, an actor-cum-producer in Hindi cinema, on a criminal complaint moved by Bhai Harpal Singh Cheema s/o S. Harjinder Singh, r/o village Lohari Kalan, Tehsil Bassi Pathanan, Fatehgarh Sahib through his council Advocate Navkiran Singh.

The complaint was moved under Section 295-A (blasphemy) and Sections 500/501 (Defamation) of Indian Penal Code for summoning the accused and trying him for the offences committed by him by producing and acting in the film “Son of Sardar” in which he had hurt the religious sentiments of the complainant and the Sikh community as well as defamed the Sikh community.

The complaint mentions that the complainant was a Sikh by religion and otherwise a Lawyer and also a political activist.

It was further mentioned that the complainant was deeply hurt when he watched the Official trailer of the ‘Son Of Sardar” a film which was being produced by the accused Ajay Devgn and in which he was also performing the lead role of a Sardar.

The trailer that was released on the YouTube showed the main character, played by Ajay Devgan, who was a turbaned Sikh to be having a tattoo of Hindu Lord, Shiva engraved on his chest. Since Sikh’s have been forbidden by their Guru’s from worshiping idols and deities, the projection of a Sikh being worshiper of Hindu deities had deeply hurt the religious feelings of the complainant and Sikh community and the accused had attracted criminal prosecution of his under Section 295-A of Indian Penal Code.

“in the official trailer Sikh’s have been maligned and defamed by 2 dialogues spoken by Ajay Devgan which are to the effect : (i) “Sardar Par Joke To Kar Lo……….. Par Inko Joker Mat Samjhna”, (ii) “Agar Sardar Na Hote ……….To Teree Maan Dee, Teree Bhain Dee, galian kon invent karta”. These dialogues have lowered the image of Sikh’s in the mind of general public and have made them a laughing stock for people and defamed the Sikh community” the complainant has maintained.

“Thus invited trial and punishment for offence as defined under section 499 of Indian Penal Code and provided with punishment under section 500 of Indian Penal Code” added the complainant filed in the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Fatehgarh Sahib.

It is learnt that Ajay Devgn has removed the objectionable contents from the movie as Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) secretary Daljit Singh Bedi had reportedly extended verbal clean chit to the movie after watching it in a local Amritsar cinema few days ago. This bollywood film was released on November 13, 2012.

But a local court at Fatehgarh Sahib district of Punjab is schedule to hold arguments for summoning Ajay Devgn on November 19, 2012.

While talking to Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, complainant against Ajay Devgn, claimed that their “cause of action” still holds good and he was confident that the court would issue summons to Ajay Devgn as what he (Ajay) did, gave rise to lawful action.