Citing harmony, Badal justifies ban on ‘MSG’ starring dera head

Ludhiana, January 18

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today justified the ban on the screening of the controversial movie “MSG” by his government, saying this had been done in the larger interest of peace and harmony in the state.

“We want to ensure peace and harmony in Punjab. If  peace is vitiated, the citizens will blame us,” Badal told mediapersons here.

The release of the movie, which stars controversial Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, saw a wave of protests from various Sikh organisations in Punjab, Haryana and New Delhi.

Earlier this week, members of the Censor Board had tendered their resignation, citing “interference, coercion and corruption” by the Film Certification Appellate

Tribunal (FCAT) after the latter cleared the controversial film.

 The Ministry of Information and Broadcast, however, has denied the allegations. It has stated that the Union Government has a hands off policy when it comes to decision-making by members of the censor board.—ANI