Sikh community leaders have called on the state government to prohibit the release of BJP MP and actress Kangana Ranaut’s film Emergency, scheduled for early September.
On Thursday, a delegation from the Sikh community presented their concerns to the government, alleging that the film portrays Sikhs as terrorists and anti-nationals.
The delegation, led by former IPS officer Tejdeep Kaur Menon and representing the Telangana Sikh Society, met with Mohammed Ali Shabbir, the adviser to the state government on SC, ST, OBC, and Minorities Affairs. The 18-member delegation expressed grave concerns about the film’s depiction of the Sikh community.
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The Sikh community, which constitutes about 2% of Telangana’s population, has a significant presence in India’s military and border security forces. The delegation highlighted that Sikhs make up nearly 12% of the nation’s armed forces, with many having sacrificed their lives in service to the country. They expressed distress over the film’s portrayal, particularly the negative impact it might have on Sikh youth.
Tejdeep Kaur Menon criticised the film’s pre-release trailers, which she claimed depict the Sikh community in a disparaging manner, fostering a negative narrative. Following the meeting, Shabbir Ali conveyed these concerns to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. Shabbir reported that the Chief Minister has pledged to review the request for a ban after consulting legal advisors.
