Film on Punjab activist removed from OTT amid national security concerns

The biopic 'Satluj', based on the life of Punjab human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was released on the OTT platform ZEE5 and subsequently removed within 48 hours. The film, earlier titled 'Punjab 95', had faced prolonged scrutiny from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which suggested 127 cuts that the filmmakers refused to accept. The platform cited 'current developments' as the reason for removal, while reports indicate that authorities fear the film could be 'weaponised by anti-India forces' and pose a threat to national security.

Jaswant Singh Khalra was abducted from his home on September 6, 1995, and never returned. Eyewitness testimony led to the conviction of several policemen for his kidnapping and killing. Khalra had documented the illegal cremation of thousands of bodies in and around Amritsar, seeking answers for families of the disappeared and demanding death certificates for closure.

The film revisits a dark period in Punjab's history during the militancy years, when allegations of disappearances and extra-judicial killings became part of public record. Courts have examined many such cases, and a CBI court in Mohali continues to convict police officials in fake encounter cases. The security forces faced an extraordinarily difficult battle, at times crossing legal limits.

The removal has sparked debate about free speech and national security. The government's concerns, framed broadly, have been used to justify restrictions on content deemed sensitive. The film's makers and supporters argue that the suppression of historical narratives undermines democratic values, while authorities maintain that certain portrayals could incite unrest.