SGPC’s U-turn on 'Sada Haq’ leaves many questions unanswered

Tuesday, 09/04/2013

http://punjabnewsline.com/news/SGPC___s-U_turn-on-_Sada-Haq___-leaves-many-questions-unanswered.html

AMRITSAR: Sikhs’ paramount representative body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has more questions to answer in wake for the controversy relating to the ban imposed on Punjabi film 'Sada Haq’ by Punjab government. Already under fire for losing credibility, the religious body has received a major blow in wake of the controversial Punjabi film Producer-Director Kuljinder Singh Sidhu raising a banner of revolt against the Committee for pursuing a 'political tone’ and not adhering to its principals to support the 'Sikh cause’.

It was Sidhu himself who praised the SGPC when it had helped him to take up the case with Censor Board to clear the film for public view. The SGPC went all the way with all its might to get the film cleared as the Board had earlier declined to give film certification, terming it as an attempt to play with the communal sentiments in an insensitive manner by putting one community against the other. The film is based on Punjab terrorism, the role of the police and the communal tension during the harrowing days in Punajb in 1980s.

It was under these circumstances that Sidhu and his team approached SGPC Chief Avtar Singh Makkar who without going into details used his office and got the letters and communication issued to the Censor Board saying the film must be allowed the public view as it was rightly taking up the 'Sikh cause’. He even introduced the film crew during a press conference and said that the film was about the rights of the Sikhs and he appealed the Censor Board to clear the film or they might be forced to resort to protests.

The film was finally cleared by the Board and all was set for it to be viewed in public when one community, on seeing the banners and promos of the film, got upset and pressed upon the state government of the SAD-BJP combine to put a blanket ban on the screening of the film. Interestingly, the same SGPC that was fighting tooth and nail to get the film screened was red-faced. On seeing the government banning the film, it had nothing to offer and virtually with tail in leg, it went into silent mode.

Meanwhile, SGPC chief Makkar today stated that SGPC has committed a "mistake" by supporting 'Sadda Haq'. He said they committed a mistake by supporting the film director to get it cleared from the Censor Board. He said they never knew that the film could emerge as a major challenge to the law and order situation in the state. Makker added that they have even decided that the Sikh organization would not issue any letter to film makers in support in the future. The SGPC panel had seen the movie and then cleared it for the support but now it has taken a total U-turn.

'Sadda Haq' team has now met Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh for seeking help from the temporal seat for getting the ban from the film in Punjab lifted. But they also know that Jathedar would not be taking up the matter as he is all expected to toe the line that the SGPC had been following. Saying that the ban was illegal, Sidhu has refuted the allegations that the film will disturb the communal harmony in the state and has sought the resignation of the SGPC chief.