SAD sends legal notice to CBFC seeking to stop release of 'Emergency'

New Delhi, Aug 30 (PTI) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) here has sent a legal notice to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) seeking to prevent the release of Kangana Ranaut's upcoming film 'Emergency', claiming it may "incite communal tensions" and "spread misinformation".

It alleged the trailer of the film depicted "erroneous historical facts that not only misrepresent the Sikh community but also promote hatred and social discord." "Such depictions are not only misleading but also deeply offensive and damaging to the social fabric of Punjab and the entire nation. It is apparent that Ranaut has chosen the subject of the Emergency not to make a genuine political or historical statement against Congress, but rather to target the Sikh community," the notice sent on August 27 claimed.

It claimed the movie portrays the Sikh community in an "unjust and negative light".

The notice sought to "immediately revoke the certification given to the movie and thereby blocking its release".

"Further, given the potential of this film to incite communal tensions and spread misinformation, I, on behalf of my client hereby call upon CBFC to exercise its authority to prevent its release. A thick line must be drawn between the right to freedom of speech and the propagation of hateful content that threatens the harmony of our society," advocate Manjeet Singh Chugh said. PTI