In the second week of July, residents of multiple villages and cities across Punjab gathered for screenings of Satluj, a film that had been removed from a streaming platform and denied theatrical release certification by Indian authorities. The movie, starring prominent actor Diljit Dosanjh, tells the story of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a man who documented alleged unlawful killings by security forces and subsequently disappeared in 1995.
The Indian government declined to explain its decision to block the film, with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting not responding to media inquiries. Despite the official restriction, religious leaders, political organizations, and civil society groups throughout Punjab organized community viewings in temple courtyards, town halls, and public spaces. Residents also obtained unauthorized copies distributed through digital platforms including WhatsApp and YouTube. This organized response represents an unusual challenge to state authority, according to observers of Indian society.
The film’s subject matter centers on events from the 1990s, when a separatist movement in Punjab turned violent following a 1984 military operation at the Golden Temple. During this period, thousands of Sikhs died in confrontations with Indian security forces, and many fled the country seeking asylum abroad. Human rights advocates documented that certain police officers allegedly engaged in extrajudicial killings, extortion schemes, and staged shootouts while investigating militant activities. Khalra compiled records suggesting police killed approximately 2,000 youths in his home district, with possible figures reaching 25,000 across the state.
After Khalra presented evidence to courts, he disappeared from his home. Ten years later, a trial court convicted six police officers in connection with his abduction and murder, though his body was never recovered. Observers noted that while some victims received compensation, most individuals accused of perpetrating violence during the period were not held accountable. The film’s director reported that certification officials delayed approval for nearly four years, with one official questioning the relevance of truth in contemporary times. The government ultimately did not provide official certification, though filmmakers proceeded with online distribution.
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