Explained: What's the Controversy Surrounding Kangana Ranaut's Film 'Emergency'

Bhopal- The controversy surrounding actress and BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi constituency, Kangana Ranaut's upcoming film Emergency continues to escalate. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed against the film in the Madhya Pradesh High Court (Jabalpur), demanding a ban on its release. The petition, filed by the Sikh Sangat Jabalpur and Shri Guru Singh Sabha Indore, claims that the film has hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community. The High Court's division bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf, is set to hear the case on Monday.

In the petition, Sardar Manjit Singh Bhatia from Indore and Sardar Manohar Singh from Jabalpur informed the High Court that the depiction of Sikhs in Emergency is inappropriate. The film shows four Sikhs shooting Hindus while demanding Khalistan, portraying Sikhs in a grotesque and dangerous manner, which, according to the petitioners, tarnishes the image of the Sikh community.

The petition demands the cancellation of the film's certification and calls for a halt to its release. Additionally, it requests that the film be shown to Sikh leaders from Indore and Jabalpur before its release to accurately assess the narrative and portrayal of Sikhs.

Amid the growing controversy, Kangana Ranaut revealed in a video that the release of her film has been halted. She mentioned that although the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) initially granted the film a certificate, it was later withdrawn. Kangana also disclosed that both she and the members of the Censor Board have received death threats, leading to the delay in the film's release.

Kangana remarked, "We are under pressure not to show Indira Gandhi's assassination, Bhindranwale, and the Punjab riots. I don't know what to show in the film if these events are excluded. I am deeply saddened by the current situation in the country."

Protest by the Sikh Community in Jabalpur

On Friday, members of the Sikh community in Jabalpur protested against Ranaut's film. Sikh Sangat Jabalpur and former BJP minister Harendra Singh Babbu described the film as controversial and demanded a ban on its release. During the protest, hundreds of people marched to the Collectorate and submitted a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

They argued that the film damages the image of the Sikh community, which is unacceptable. Protesters also wrote to Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, urging him to impose a ban on the film.

Emergency is scheduled for release in theaters on September 6. However, the film has already become embroiled in legal disputes. The High Court is set to hear the case today (September 2), which could determine the film's future.

Directed and starred by Kangana Ranaut, the film portrays a controversial period in Indira Gandhi's life. The controversy began with the release of the film's trailer, and the petition filed by Sikh organizations has further complicated the situation.