The controversy surrounding Satluj is reshaping Punjab politics, especially its Panthic political landscape, with political parties and stakeholders using the film to sharpen electoral messaging ahead of the Assembly elections.
On Friday night, more than 300 people gathered in the basement hall of Govindpuri Gurdwara in Delhi for a special screening of the film, which depicts alleged human rights violations by security forces during the militancy period in Punjab. A separate community screening was also held at a gurdwara in Jammu, which neighbours poll-bound Punjab.
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee reportedly cancelled a proposed screening at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, saying it was inappropriate to screen the film inside a gurdwara because it contains scenes depicting alcohol consumption and abusive language. However, it has decided to organise special screenings in other parts of Delhi. The Akal Takht, Sikhism’s highest temporal authority, has endorsed the film’s message and called for a special Ardas (prayer) in memory of the victims whose cases were documented by Jaswant Singh Khalra.
The film’s political significance stems from its portrayal of alleged police excesses and state-sponsored atrocities during Congress governments in Punjab, as well as its reported removal from a streaming platform by the BJP-led Centre. This has enabled both the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to position themselves as defenders of Punjab’s human rights and freedom of expression while attacking the Congress over its past record and the BJP over the film’s removal.
The Shiromani Akali Dal, meanwhile, has launched a statewide screening campaign in an effort to reconnect with its traditional Panthic support base.
As Khalra served as the party’s human rights secretary before his abduction and killing, SAD has projected the film as part of its legacy of defending Sikh rights. AAP, however, has accused the Akali Dal of exploiting the issue for political gain, alleging that the party remained silent while it was allied with the BJP.
Congress, meanwhile, has sought to shift the focus to the Centre by accusing the BJP of restricting wider access to the film.
Government sources have said the film was removed over national security concerns, arguing that certain portions could be exploited by anti-India and pro-Khalistan elements ahead of the Punjab elections.
According to Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, the focus should be on the future rather than reopening a painful chapter of Punjab’s history. He also launched a strong attack on the filmmakers, accusing lead actor Diljit Dosanjh and director Honey Trehan of promoting a dangerous narrative and “playing with fire”, while challenging the film’s claim that around 25,000 unidentified bodies were secretly disposed of.