After SGPC, Gippy Grewal Demands Sikh Representation In Film Certification Board

New Delhi: The Kangana Ranaut starrer film Emergency has run into trouble with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) refusing to greenlight the release. The decision comes after the apex religious body of Sikhs, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) called for a ban on the movie based on the life of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The SGPC objected to the negative portrayal of the Sikh community in the Kangana Ranaut starrer. Consequently, the movie has skipped its scheduled September 6 release. Amid the tussle with CBFC, popular Punjabi singer and actor Gippy Grewal has now pushed for more Sikh representation in the censor board.

Having a Sikh representation on the board is very important: Gippy Grewal

In an interview with a new portal, the Carry On Jatta fame star argued for the need for Sikh representatives on the censor board (CBFC). He asserted that if an ‘expert’ in religious matters sits on the board it would benefit the producers from incurring losses as well as will maintain the peace and harmony in society. He especially pushed for a Sikh representative for films that show Sikhism or Punjab and its people.

He shared, “For those films, jinme Sikhism ka hai, community representation hai, Punjab ka representation hai, un filmon ke liye ye bahot zaroori hai. Like a lot of people shoot their films in Punjab, but they don't know anything about Punjab (Having a Sikh representative on the board is important for films that talk about Sikhism, represent the community or represent the state of Punjab in any form).”

The actor, who is promoting his film, Ardaas Sarbat De Bhale Di, claimed that before taking their latest film to the CBFC, the makers secured an NOC certificate from Hazur Sahib Prabhandhak Committee to assure the board that the movie does not hurt any religious sentiments. Stressing the importance of representation, he claimed, "Having a Sikh representation is extremely important. It's better to get that approval from the representatives and avoid going through the struggle of facing objections. It's better to let the scrutiny happen before you go to the board. If a film is representing a sect or a community, it is important for everyone that it is seen beforehand to remove any flaws or mistakes."

SGPC echoes the demand for Sikh representation

Taking to their X (formerly Twitter) account the  Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee had shared their objections with Emergency. Labelling it as an ‘anti-Sikh’ movie, the religious body filed a complaint against Kangana Ranaut for making a movie that would potentially disturb communal harmony. For the unversed, the film features the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Punjab Riots and the story of the separatist leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

The SGPC mentioned requesting a Sikh representative on the censor board several times, but they shared, that their suggestions fall on ‘deaf ears’. Following several petitions filed against Emergency, the CBFC has decided to without the film's certification defer its release indefinitely.