After SGPC, Sikh group wants film release stopped

Chandigarh, April 8
Radical Sikh group Dal Khalsa on Wednesday asked Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to intervene and stop the release of the film 'Nanak Shah Fakir'.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the mini-parliament of Sikh religious affairs, has also objected to the release of the film.

The Dal Khalsa has submitted a memorandum to the Jathedar (head) of Akal Takht, the high seat of Sikh religious affairs, to issue an edict against the producer for withdrawal of the film.

Dal Khalsa head Harcharnjit Singh Dhami said it was unfortunate that the Akal Takht and SGPC were trying to pass the buck to each other on the issue of the controversial film.

"It's time to think and not allow the movie to be released as it has the potential to undermine the fundamental beliefs of Sikhism and open the floodgates for others to portray Guru Sahib and their family members in whatever way they like," Dal Khalsa spokesman Kanwarpal Singh said.

Reasserting that the said movie was an assault on the fundamental tenets of the Sikh religion, he further said Sikhs cannot allow denigration of their religion in pictorial or other forms.

Contesting the claims of filmmaker Harinder Singh Sikka, he said: "Even the depiction and personification of Guru Sahib through animation was unacceptable and intolerable."