Modi's Punjab Visit: Development Projects Amid Political Controversy Over 'Satluj' Film
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Punjab's Jalandhar on July 17 to unveil several development and railway infrastructure projects. The visit comes at a critical time for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has announced its intention to contest the state Assembly elections scheduled for February 2027 independently.
On July 2, Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu announced the Prime Minister's visit. However, the state's political landscape soon shifted following the release and removal of the film 'Satluj' on the OTT platform ZEE5.
The film, starring Diljit Dosanjh, is based on the life of slain human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. It was released on July 3 and abruptly removed on July 5, but not before thousands had downloaded it after Dosanjh warned of its potential removal. The controversy has sparked a political storm, with screenings now organised by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), and various social organisations across Punjab.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has criticised the curbs on the film's release, stating that the Punjab government would not oppose private screenings. Opposition Congress leaders have also facilitated screenings in villages and towns.
The BJP has come under attack over the film's removal, though the party denies any involvement. The controversy has exposed internal differences: while Ravneet Singh Bittu criticised Dosanjh for a 'one-sided account' of Punjab's tragedy, senior BJP leader Iqbal Singh Lalpura publicly asked Bittu to stay within his limits. Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon appealed for the row to end, saying, 'The 'Satluj' controversy must end now. Reopening these wounds serves no one. Punjab has bled enough and healing takes time.'
A BJP leader admitted the party was on the defensive, noting that the film largely portrays events during the Congress regime. 'Ironically, the movie is about the Congress period, yet it is the BJP which is being forced to explain itself,' the leader said.
During his Jalandhar visit, PM Modi will inaugurate the redeveloped Jalandhar Cantonment railway station and virtually unveil redeveloped stations in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Sri Anandpur Sahib. This is his second Punjab visit in 2025, following a visit to Dera Sachkhand Ballan on February 1 for Guru Ravidas Jayanti.
Sri Muktsar Sahib is the home district of SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, whose party was the BJP's oldest ally until their alliance collapsed in 2020 over the now-repealed central farm laws. Jalandhar lies in the Doaba region, where the BJP has been reaching out to the Ravidassia community, a significant Scheduled Caste group in the area.
