Chandigarh: In a written statement issued today, the Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said that he has not to intervene on the issue of the controversial movie ‘Nanak Shah Fakir’ in view of the film-makers’ reported decision not to release the movie in the state.
Any decision to ban on the movie had become unnecessary in view of the film-makers’ decision against releasing it in Punjab, he said.
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Earlier the Punjab government had announced to impose ban on screening of the movie in the state.
According to the Punjab Government’s press statement issued in the evening, [t]he makers of the film, in their petition before the Supreme Court, had clearly stated that “looking at the sensitivity of the issue and the public sentiment involved”, they had decided “not to release the film in the state of Punjab for the time being.”
According to the statement, taking cognizance of film producer’s submission the Chief Minister said no action was required on the part of the state government in the matter at present. The government would review the situation and take an appropriate decision if the same becomes necessary in the future, he added.
The Chief Minister made it clear that his government would take all possible steps, as and when deemed necessary, to ensure that there is no disruption of law and order in the state.
“Any attempt to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in the state would be dealt with an iron hand”, the statement quotes Punjab CM.
Captain Amarinder Singh said he had also taken note of the Akal Takht decision with regard to the film. The Akali Takht had yesterday decided to ban the movie amid protests by several Sikh organisations, who had objected to the portrayal of Guru Nanak ji, saying any on-screen depiction of a Sikh Guru or his family members was against the tenets of Sikh religion. Projecting the Guru and his family as human beings was offensive to the principles of Sikhi, they said.
“The Chief Minister was of the view that while authors, film-makers etc. had the creative freedom of expression, such freedom could not be allowed to violate the religious sensitivities of any community. At the same time, he appealed to the protesting Sikh organisations not to resort to violence or cause any damage to life and property to express their resentment against the movie”, the statement notes.
“Captain Amarinder also clarified that, contrary to what was being stated in a section of the media, no orders banning the movie in Punjab had been issued by his government”, the statement says in the end.
- ALSO READ: PUNJAB GOVERNMENT BANS NANAK SHAH FAKIR FILM; CABINET MINISTER CONFIRMS DECISION TO BAN THE MOVIE
Earlier today the Punjab cabinet minster Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa had revealed that the Punjab government had decided to impose ban on the movie. In a Facebook live video by journalist Yadwinder Karfew, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa was seen as clearly saying that keeping in view the sentiments of the Sikh community the Punjab police has decided to ban the film. As Capt. Amarinder Singh is now saying that the film was not banned by his government, adding that it was not required at this time, it seems that he is taking escape route for now.
WHY SIKHS ARE OPPOSING NANAK SHAH FAKIR MOVIE:
Please watch these videos to know the Sikh viewpoint on this issue: