A controversial film dubbed ‘anti-Sikh’ was reportedly pulled from cinemas in the Midlands at the last-minute. Showings of Hindi movie ‘Emergency’ are understood to have been cancelled last week at Cineworld in Wolverhampton and Broad Street, Birmingham, as well as Vue at Star City.
It came following protests over the newly-released film, which critics have described as ‘anti-Sikh propaganda’. Many have claimed it misrepresents the Sikh community.
The movie features actress Kangana Ranaut, who stars as India’s former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Ranaut has been accused of pushing ‘bigoted rhetoric’ targeting Sikhs.
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Sikh Press Association said protests have taken place in Birmingham, Telford, Manchester, London, Slough and Staines. Melbourne, in Australia, and Toronto, in Canada, also held protests.
Protests are understood to have been peaceful. Sikh PA said: “‘Emergency’ is viewed by Sikh groups as Indian state propaganda, not a film or art.
“It probably displays inaccurate information which maligns revered Sikh figures. Such content perpetuates anti-Sikh hate and Indian state stereotypes demonizing the community, which makes up approximately just two per cent of India.
“The theatres showing this nationalist propaganda are supporting something which poses a danger to Sikh communities today, justifying anti-Sikh hate, which is currently a major concern amid an uptake in India’s transnational violence.”
On X, it added: “The film stars and was created by Kangana Ranaut, a notorious actress/politician in India, who pushes bigoted rhetoric about the minority Sikh-Punjabi community. Indira Gandhi was the PM who initiated the #SikhGenocide before her assassination.”
Sikh Council UK- which represents gurdwaras and Sikh organisations – is calling for all cinemas in Britain to stop screening the film. On X, it said: “This film, a propaganda piece, has been produced and directed to distort recent history, causing deep offence to many in the Sikh community.
“There have been protests across the UK outside cinemas to stop the screening. A significant number of cinemas have cancelled screenings based on these protests.
“However, screenings continue in many cinemas, prompting further protests from the Sikh community over the coming days. Many Sikh Gurdwaras and organizations have approached us with this concern, as they do not want to see community relations affected by a movie that is not factual and relies on emotive dialogues.”
It added: “We request that the film be pulled from any further screenings to put a stop to these protests and maintain cohesive and peaceful community relations.” Group Shere Punjab said on Instagram that ‘Emergency’ had been ‘permanently pulled’ from the film schedule at Vue, Star City.
It said: “This sends a clear message to India that propaganda through the arts will not be tolerated or accepted in Birmingham. The action taken [at the weekend] has set a precedent, leading to further cancellations in Wolverhampton.”
But according to Vue’s website at the time of print, tickets were still available for screenings at Star City this week. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee – which represents gurdwaras in India – last week called for a ban of the film in Punjab.
In response, Ranaut said on X, formerly known as Twitter: “This is complete harassment of art and the artist, from Punjab many cities are reporting that these people are not allowing Emergency to be screened. I have utmost respect for all religions and after studying and growing up in Chandigarh [in Punjab] I have closely observed and followed Sikh religion.
“This is a complete lie and propaganda to tarnish my image and harm my film #Emergency.” In June 1984, then-Prime Minister Gandhi ordered military action within the Harmandir Sahib, in Punjab. Also known as Golden Temple, the gurdwara is one of the holiest sites for Sikhs.
The attack, dubbed ‘Operation Blue Star’, saw troops storm the gurdwara to remove activist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his followers. Official Indian government figures estimate hundreds died – but other reports suggest the number of dead reached thousands.
On October 31 that year, Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards. What followed were widespread violent attacks targeting Sikhs, with thousands tortured and killed.
This period is often referred to by some as the ‘Sikh genocide’. ‘Emergency’ is based upon Gandhi’s decision to declare a state of emergency across India from 1975 to 1977.
It also touches upon Bhindranwale before his death in June 1984. It is understood screenings of ‘Emergency’ were also pulled from cinemas in Harrow, Hounslow and Feltham, according to The Times of India.
Ranaut – who also directed and co-produced the film – came under fire last year over controversial comments she made about the Farmers’ Protest movement, which largely involved Punjabis and Sikhs. A Cineworld spokesperson said: “We can confirm a select number of screenings were affected over the weekend due to disruption.
“The safety and wellbeing of our customers and employees is always our top priority.” Vue did not respond to requests for comment.
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