Satluj draws crowds at Punjab screenings after removal from online platforms

A film about India’s crackdown in Punjab during the 1980s and 1990s is drawing crowds at informal screenings after it was removed from online platforms within 48 hours of release.

“Satluj” tells the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a rights activist who was allegedly tortured and killed by police in 1995 after investigating thousands of disappearances and presumed extrajudicial killings during the unrest.

A crowd gathered at a Sikh temple in Gurdaspur district to watch the film. Authorities have not officially announced action against the film or its distribution, but rumours of a ban have angered some viewers as interest in screenings has grown.

Inderpal Singh Bains, a farmer leader involved in organising the Gurdaspur event, said at least five screenings were being held each evening and that villages seeking screenings remained on a waiting list.

Punjab was the scene of conflict in the 1980s and early 1990s between Indian authorities and armed supporters of Khalistan, a separatist movement seeking an independent Sikh homeland. Rights groups say thousands of civilians, police officers and militants were killed.

Ravneet Singh Bittu, a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, accused director Honey Trehan of distorting history and presenting disputed claims as established fact.

Trehan told AFP that the film “depicted the truth.” He cited speeches by Khalra referring to 25,000 people being abducted and killed.