Just a few days after the release of the trailer for Kangana Ranauts film Emergency the political drama has stirred up controversy as prominent Sikh groups demand an immediate ban. The Akal Takht, which is the highest authority among Sikhs and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee SGPC have voiced objections accusing the movie of misrepresenting Sikh figures and showing disrespect towards the community’s history.

During a conference SGPC leader Harjinder Singh Dhami expressed his worries alleging that the film portrays Sikhs unfavourably. He argued that it aims to tarnish the reputation of Sikhs with a focus on Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale who is seen as a martyr by numerous members of the Sikh community.

The debate revolves around the movie Emergency set in the time of India’s Emergency in 1975. In the film Kangana Ranaut portrays former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. While it highlights Gandhis political path and the obstacles she encountered the depiction of some Sikh characters and events has faced criticism from Sikh leaders.

Gyani Raghbir Singh, the Jathedar of the Akal Takht, criticized the movie claiming it portrays Sikhs as separatists and misrepresents their historical significance. He described the films portrayal as part of a conspiracy to promote an anti-Sikh narrative. Singh also highlighted the sensitivity surrounding events from June 1984 a time of turmoil for the Sikh community and argued that the film disrespects the legacy of Sikh martyrs.

In light of these issues the SGPC has sought to take measures against Kangana Ranaut urging the authorities to lodge a complaint against the actress for supposedly stirring up religious feelings. Dhami also condemned the government for protecting Ranaut despite her track record of contentious comments regarding Sikhs and Punjab.

Moreover, the SGPC has requested the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting to swiftly take steps to prohibit the film. Dhami stressed the importance of averting any misrepresentation of Sikh history in movies going forward and urged for the inclusion of Sikh representatives on the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to protect the sentiments of the community.

Emergency, helmed by Kangana Ranaut features a star-studded cast comprising Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair and the late Satish Kaushik. The movie is set to hit theatres globally on September 6. With the controversy intensifying the filmmakers have not yet addressed the demands for a ban.