MSG row: Protests become shriller as the film gears up for theatre release

Chandigarh: As the date for the release of the film MSG:The Messenger of God starring Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan draws closer, the demand for its ban has gone shriller. The Appellate Tribunal of the Censor Board has cleared the film for release and it is up to the makers of the movie to decide the date of release. But various religious groups and organizations in both Punjab and Haryana have been protesting against the film and demanding a ban on it on the ground that it was bound to cause communal tension.

The Dera Sacha Sauda chief has not only played the lead role in the film, but also has directed it along with Jeetu Arora, composed music and has done the playback singing.

On Wednesday, Jagdish Jhinda, president of Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), submitted a memorandum to the Haryana Governor’s office in the Raj Bhawan demanding a ban on the screening of the controversial film. “We have urged the Haryana government to ban the film immediately. We are not alone in making such a demand. Various other religious, social and political organisations in both Haryana and Punjab are doing the same,’’ said Jhinda while talking to Firstpost.

“We have cautioned the government that if the film is released it could cause a serious threat to peace and order situation in the state. We have informed the government that the dera chief is facing serious cases in the courts, but he calls himself a saint. How can this be possible? If his film is released it will definitely hurt the feelings and sentiments of a large number of people across various communities,” said Jhinda.

The HSGMC president said he had earlier written to the censor board, the Haryana government and the Centre demanding a ban on the screening of the film, but unfortunately they had not taken note of their objection. However, unlike Haryana, the Punjab government had taken a clear stand from the time the clearance of the film was announced and imposed a ban on its screening in Punjab. High alert had been sounded in both Punjab and Haryana after protests were staged in both the states.

In yet another development, the Kalgidhar Sewak Jatha , a Sikh body, approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday seeking a ban on the screening of the film MSG in both Haryana and Chandigarh as the film’s release could cause a breach of peace and harmony and also hurt religious sentiments of all communities.

In Punjab, the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal has been totally against the screening of the film, but the ruling BJP in Haryana has not taken any such stand. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said that the ban on the film had been imposed in the state following an advisory from central agencies that the movie could lead to law and order problem. He, however, admitted that the ban on the film could be reviewed once the state government committee sees the film.

Haryana though had a different view. “We are not bound to ban the film just because Punjab has done so. We are monitoring the situation very closely and carefully and will take whatever action is necessary in future, but first the Dera Sacha Sauda should announce the date of the film’s release,’’ a top Haryana government functionary told Firstpost. Sources said the state government had instructed the DCs of various districts to deal with any law and order situation arising with the release of the film.

Tension had gripped Sirsa in Haryana, bordering Rajasthan, two days earlier after Sikh preacher Baljit Singh Daduwal, strongly opposed the release of the film. At the same time, members of the HSGMC announced a protest march from Gurdwara Dasham Patshahi to the Deputy Commissioner’s office, demanding a ban on the film’s release. To counter this, followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda started a “Naam Charcha” (religious discourse) near old MC market, the same day. Heavy police force was deployed in Sirsa as a result and the DC, Nikhilm Gajraj imposed Section 144 of CrPC at a few places in Sirsa, including near the Sikh shrine.

Earlier, the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) had carried out a protest march against the film in Amritsar and Bathinda in Punjab. As tension intensified the government had to call the Rapid Action Force to maintain law and order situation in Bathinda. Protests by the Sikh organisations were also held in Batala, against the release of the film. In Haryana, members of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Committee (HSGPC) staged similar protests.

The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) activists too joined them in various parts of Gurgaon, Hisar and Rohtak in Haryana. Later protests were also held in Kurukshetra and Fatehabad. Police forces had been deployed at all these places to prevent clashes between them and the supporters of the Dera Sacha Sauda. Digvijay Chautala said he has been receiving threats ever since he started opposing the release of MSG. The Jagraon police in Ludhiana, Punjab has booked Ajay Chautala and Digvijay Chautala of the INLD for making controversial comments on the Facebook against the Dera Sacha Sauda chief.