Row over the film ‘Nanak Shah Fakir’: Punjab on tenterhooks

Poster of the film

Takht banishes filmmaker Sikka, calls upon Sikhs worldwide to boycott

AMRITSAR, INDIA(TIP): The Akal Takht on Thursday, April 12, issued an edict to excommunicate Harinder Singh Sikka, the maker of “Nanak Shah Fakir”, from the Sikh panth.

After deliberations with Sikh organizations, the Five High Priests directed Sikhs around the world to snap ties with the filmmaker. Any Sikh found “guilty” of sympathizing with him would be dealt with sternly, the edict said.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh pronounced the decision in Sikka’s absence. He appealed to the Sikh community to boycott the film and stage peaceful protests.

The Jathedar said members of the SGPC sub-committee that had endorsed the film in 2016 would be summoned to the Akal Takht. When Sikka had approached the SGPC for clearance, it had formed a sub-committee headed by SGPC executive member Rajinder Singh Mehta. The other members included Bavinder Singh Jaura, Diljit Singh Bedi, Simarjit Singh and the then Chief Secretary Harcharan Singh.

Calling Sikka “stubborn”, the Jathedar said despite protests, the filmmaker was adamant on releasing the film by taking the legal route.

Meanwhile, the Jathedar sought to clear the air surrounding a 2015 “congratulatory” letter by the Takht addressed to Sikka. “It was misinterpreted in English, whereas the one issued in Punjabi never approved of the film,” he claimed.

Sikh organizations, owing allegiance to Damdami Taksal have issued threats to theater owners that they will be responsible for any losses to their theaters in case they exhibited the movie. Similarly, threats have been given to viewers who have been cautioned against going to theaters to watch the movie.  to exhibit the film.

The film is due for release on the day of Vaisakhi, April 13.

(Source: TNS)

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