Sukhbir Singh Badal: Revoke ban on Kanwar Grewal's song

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 8

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president, Sukhbir Singh Badal, today described the ban imposed on a song sung by Kanwar Grewal calling for the release of the Sikh detenues as most unfortunate development. He asked the Union Government to reverse this decision keeping in view citizens’ right to freedom of speech as well as sentiments of the Sikh community.

Reflects punjabis’ aspirations

The ban on, ‘Rihai’, song comes soon after bar on the song, ‘SYL’, sung by Sidhu Moosewala, which also reflects aspirations of Punjabis, who do not want their water to be diverted to Haryana through canal. — Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD President

The SAD president said the song, ‘Rihai’, sung by Kanwar Grewal reflected sentiments of Sikhs worldwide. They were perturbed over the continued incarceration of Sikh detenues even after completion of their life sentences, he added.

“Kanwar Grewal has done nothing more than use poetic licence to highlight this grievance, besides demanding that history books should not be rewritten. This does not call for a ban under any circumstances,” said Sukhbir Badal.

Appealing to the Centre to reconsider its decision, Sukhbir Badal said “Such bans can create a wrong impression about India among other nations. We cannot be seen suppressing the freedom of speech, which is enshrined in our constitution.”

He said the SAD would also ask the Centre to disclose complainants in both cases, who registered complaints while asking YouTube to ban both songs in India.

“We will also demand a broader discussion on this issue to ensure that corrective steps can be taken and this trend is stopped,” he added.

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