Fri Jan 17 16:15:15 UTC 2025: ## Punjab Protests Halt Screenings of Kangana Ranaut’s “Emergency”

**Amritsar, Punjab, January 17, 2025** – The release of Kangana Ranaut’s film “Emergency” was significantly disrupted in Punjab on Friday due to widespread protests by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and various Sikh organizations. The protests, marked by demonstrations outside cinemas and malls across the state, led to the film’s cancellation in most theaters in major cities including Ludhiana, Amritsar, Patiala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, and Bathinda.

The SGPC and other groups object to the film’s portrayal of the Sikh community, alleging misrepresentation and objectionable depictions. Protesters carried black flags and placards demanding a ban on the film, which focuses on Indira Gandhi’s 21-month emergency rule from 1975 to 1977. Despite appeals to the central and state governments, the protests proceeded, forcing many cinemas to halt screenings to avoid potential violence. A heavy police presence was deployed across the state to maintain order.

Ranaut, who also directed, wrote, and produced the film, playing the role of Indira Gandhi, condemned the protests as harassment of “art and the artist.” She refuted allegations of misrepresenting the Sikh community and described the calls for a ban as propaganda aimed at damaging her image and the film. The SGPC had previously sent a legal notice to the producers in August 2024, demanding the removal of allegedly offensive scenes.

Adding fuel to the fire, Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira supported the calls for a ban, criticizing Ranaut’s past statements about farmers and Sikhs. The SGPC submitted memorandums to deputy commissioners throughout Punjab, urging a statewide ban on the film. The controversy highlights the deep-seated sensitivities surrounding the Emergency period and its impact on the Sikh community. The film’s future in Punjab remains uncertain amidst ongoing protests and the SGPC’s continued opposition.

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