A petition seeking the registration of a criminal case was filed on Saturday in Chandigarh against film actress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut. The petition alleges that Ranaut misrepresented historical facts and hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs in her film Emergency.
The case has been filed with the area magistrate under sections 302, 299, 196 part one, and 197 part one BNS. The case has been scheduled for hearing on September 17, 2024.
Advocate Ravinder Singh, former president of the District Bar Association Chandigarh and head of Lawyers for Humanity, who filed the petition, claimed that Emergency attempts to defame Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest place of the Sikhs.
Advocate Singh further alleged that the film portrays Jathedar Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale as a terrorist, which he argues is baseless. Singh asserted that Bhindranwale was involved in a Dharam Yudh Morcha aimed at implementing the Sri Anandpur Sahib Resolution. The government misinterpreted this movement, leading to an attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib and the killing of innocent people. Singh contends that Bhindranwale was martyred in this conflict.
Singh also urged the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to investigate the funding of the film, criticizing it for being made “without studying” the facts. He suggested that the funding sources should be scrutinized, particularly since Ranaut’s previous films have not been successful.
The petition claims that Ranaut’s film aims to hurt religious sentiments and create tension between communities. Singh stated, “We have filed a criminal case with the area magistrate under sections 302, 299, 196 part one, and 197 part one BNS for the attempt made by Kangana Ranaut to incite religious sentiments and create tension between the two communities. The next date of the case is September 17, 2024. This provision allows for a maximum sentence of 2 years.”
