Bittu objects to film ‘Satluj’, backs demand for inquiry into militancy-era killings

Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu on Monday said his objections were not directed against any religion, but against terrorism, violence and bloodshed. He alleged that the film 'Satluj' distorts historical facts and presents a one-sided narrative of Punjab’s period of terrorism. He also supported Paramjit Kaur Khalra, wife of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, in her demand for an independent inquiry into the killings that occurred during those years.

Addressing a press conference here, Bittu said historical events depicted in the film should have been presented in a balanced and factual manner. He questioned several aspects of the film, including the source of the figure of 25,000 allegedly missing bodies and the portrayal of certain historical personalities and incidents.

Claiming that the film selectively represents Punjab’s past, Bittu said it “has not shown the facts but distorted them”, adding that such narratives present only one side of history.

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Recalling his personal experience, Bittu said his grandfather, former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, was assassinated on August 31, 1995. He also referred to the disappearance of Jaswant Singh Khalra in September 1995, stating that both families had suffered during the violence of that period. He said the pain of victims should not be politicised, and added that he intended to meet Paramjit Kaur Khalra.

Bittu further claimed that between 1992 and 1995, Jaswant Singh Khalra exercised all his constitutional rights without obstruction and that no FIR was registered against him during that period.

Supporting Paramjit Kaur Khalra’s demand for a Commission of Inquiry, the Union Minister called for an independent, impartial and time-bound investigation into the killings of innocent civilians, bus passengers, police personnel and others during the years of militancy. He said all facts should be examined through due process and that the truth should emerge through a credible institutional mechanism.

Bittu also appealed to the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, who is scheduled to perform an ‘ardas’ on July 14, to offer prayers for all those affected by the years of violence in Punjab. He called for remembrance of every life lost and prayed that such violence never returns.

He said neither the government nor any political party has control over films released on OTT platforms, asserting that it is inappropriate to hold them responsible for the content of such productions.