Punjab BJP leader Lalpura warns Union minister Bittu to 'remain within limit' over 'Satluj'

Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu has been warned that he "should remain within his limit" by senior BJP leader Iqbal Singh Lalpura, exposing differences within the party's Punjab unit over the controversy surrounding the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Satluj.

The disagreement centres on the film's portrayal of the alleged illegal cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies during Punjab's militancy years.

BJP leaders at odds

Bittu recently questioned the film's reference to 25,000 unidentified bodies, asking the makers to provide documentary proof.

"If anywhere 25,000... the unidentified bodies they have talked about, if that data is true, let them show that list in front of you. Forget 25,000, I am saying even the data for 5,000, they should place it in the media, place it before their commission, and place it in the Supreme Court, high court," he had said.

Also Read: Satluj row: How CBI, SC brought Jaswant Singh Khalra’s killers to justice

Responding to the minister, Lalpura defended the legacy of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, on whose work the film is based. "Everybody should stay within their limit. When Jaswant Khalra (the activist on whom the film is based) spoke about the disappearances of 25,000 people, he gave a message. The claim was verified by the National Human Rights Commission. If Bittu Sahib wants the data, he can seek it from the NHRC (National Human Rights Commission)," he said as quoted by NDTV.

Khalra's legacy defended

Directed by Honey Trehan, Satluj, earlier titled ‘Punjab '95’, traces Khalra's investigation into the alleged illegal cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies between 1984 and 1994. The film was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification in 2022 and was eventually released on ZEE5 on July 3.

Also Read: 'Satluj' OTT takedown sparks political firestorm across poll-bound Punjab

However, it was withdrawn from the platform two days later after the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting cited security concerns. The filmmaker had earlier claimed the Censor Board sought 127 cuts, while media reports quoting sources indicated certain scenes could be misused by anti-India elements.

Rejecting allegations that the Centre forced the film's removal, Bittu described the controversy as a "manufactured narrative".

"They tried to use the film to light a fire. I am saying exactly this: that there was no ban at all; this is propaganda. They put the film on OTT, uploaded it themselves and took it down themselves," he said.

Film's release and withdrawal

Bittu challenged the filmmakers to substantiate the figure of 25,000 missing or illegally cremated bodies. "I challenge the producer and director of 'Satluj' to place before the people of Punjab the complete documentary evidence, official records, judicial findings and authenticated data that conclusively establish the figure of 25,000 missing or illegally cremated bodies as portrayed in the film,” he said in a statement.

Also Read: Central panel upholds ‘Satluj’ ban, citing ‘sovereignty’ and ‘integrity’ concerns

Questioning the film's historical claims, he asked, "If the figure is based merely on an estimate or allegation, why has it been projected as an established historical fact? Why were viewers not informed that this number was not conclusively established by any final judicial determination?" He further warned, "We will examine all appropriate legal and constitutional remedies to ensure that historical facts are not misrepresented before the nation."

Bittu questions evidence

Bittu also criticised the film for, in his view, overlooking the suffering of civilians, police personnel and security forces during the insurgency.

"Punjab's history cannot be rewritten through selective storytelling. Truth must prevail over propaganda, facts over fiction, and evidence over emotion," he said.

The controversy has taken on political overtones ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections. The Shiromani Akali Dal has announced community screenings of the film across the state, while the SGPC, Akal Takht and several Sikh organisations have backed the movie and demanded that it be restored on streaming platforms. (With agency inputs)