Petition in HC seeks ban on ‘Nanak Shah Fakir’

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 9

In a petition filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, a Ludhiana resident today sought a ban on the screening of “Nanak Shah Fakir” on the ground that Sikh religion forbids showing Guru Nanak in “living form”.

The petition was filed in the High Court by Satpal Singh through Counsel Ranjan Lakhanpal. It is likely to come up for hearing during the vacations starting next Monday.

In the petition against the Union of India, the State of Punjab, the State Director-General of Police and Central Board of Films Certification, Satpal Singh has claimed that showing Guru Nanak in “living form” has hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community worldwide.

He said showing gurus in “living form” and idol worship were against the basic principles of the Sikh religion.

Sikh bodies stage dharna

Amritsar:Even as the SGPC wrote to the Union Broadcasting Ministry, seeking a ban on the controversial film, ‘Nanak Shah Fakir’, the resentment against the filmmaker is increasing among the Sikh community ahead of its release on April 17.

SGPC secretary Dalmegh Singh confirmed that they had written to the broadcasting ministry for a ban on the film. The development occurred a couple of days after the SGPC executive committee had passed a resolution, urging the Centre as well as the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to ban it. The Akal Takht too has supported the SGPC move to seek a ban on the film.

Meanwhile, the activists of Jatha Neelian Faujan protested against the film and staged a dharna near the Golden Temple and handed over a memorandum to the Akal Takht Jathedar. A release issued today said the youth body believed that portraying Sikh Gurus in any form was prohibited under the Sikh tenets.

The members of the jatha submitted a memorandum to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh against the film’s producer, Harinder Singh Sikka. They urged the Jathedar to issue an edict, directing the producer to withdraw his film. They also requested the Akal Takht to seize the prints of the film. Later, they performed ‘ardas’ at the Akal Takht and pledged to defend the tenets of the faith at all cost. The Jathedar assured the delegation that they would not allow the film to be released.

Earlier, they stood in queue at the entrance gate of the Golden Temple, while holding placards to convey their message. Jatha head Harjinder Singh slammed the filmmaker for “showing insensitivity and indifference” towards the Sikh faith.

He said, “Depicting a Sikh Guru in any form violates Sikh principles and tenets.” He maintained that the film was an attempt to violate Sikh principles, adding that the producer had challenged the community to which the Sikhs would respond befittingly.

Later, the activists of the Youth Akali Dal burnt the effigy of film’s producer Harinder Singh Sikka. The outfit also sought a ban on the film. The Sikh Sangat from Chheharta area, led by Gagandeep Singh, also wrote to the Akal Takht Jathedar, seeking his intervention over the issue.

Varsity students protest

Patiala: Over 100 students of Punjabi University staged an hour-long protest and blocked the Patiala-Rajpura road on Thursday. They demanded that the film, “Nanak Shah Fakir”, be banned. They alleged the film violated the principles of the Sikh community. They also handed over a demand charter to Patiala Sub-Divisional Magistrate.