The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) on Monday formed a high-level inter-departmental committee (IDC) to examine the contents of Diljit Dosanjh’s film ‘Satluj’, based on the disappearance of a human rights activist in Punjab. This came a day after MIB directed OTT platform Zee5 to remove the film.
According to people familiar with the matter, the order was issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, read with Part 3 of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
Read also | Satluj Row Explained: Who is Jaswant Singh Khalra and why does his life story make Diljit Dosanjh’s film controversial?
What is Section 69A?
Section 69A enables the government to direct intermediaries to block or remove access to online content on specified grounds including public order, national security, sovereignty and integrity of India.
Part 3 of the IT Rules extends this framework, in a limited way, to include publishers of online formatted content and digital news, enabling the MIB to issue such guidance to OTT platforms and news publishers.
A senior MIB official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the matter is now under consideration by the IDC, which was constituted under Rule 14 of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The committee is empowered to make recommendations to the Center on content-related complaints.
Read also | Satluj movie review: Diljit Dosanjh and Arjun Rampal’s film tells a harrowing story of Punjab 95 and is a punch in the gut
A film about activist Jaswant Singh Khalra
The film depicts the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who was kidnapped in 1995 and never seen again. Originally titled Punjab ’95, the film was first submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in 2022, when the board – led by Prasun Joshi – recommended 127 cuts. After the creators rejected the edits, it premiered on ZEE5 uncut on Friday. However, by Sunday, the platform announced that the film was no longer available in India.
According to a ministry official cited above, “The government may have sent this message [to Zee5]”, shortly after the uncensored version of the film was released.
Shashi Shekhar, the newly appointed CBFC chairman, denied that the board had a role, saying: “OTT platforms are not under the jurisdiction of the CBFC…”
HT reached out to the MIB and the filmmakers but did not receive a response till the time of going to press.
The issue has also sparked political backlash, with Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal calling it “an assault on our collective memory, truth and freedom of expression.”
Ruling AAP leader Baltej Pannu alleged that the BJP and Congress are working together to “erase the black history of Congress in Punjab and prevent the younger generation from knowing the truth…”
During a live broadcast on Instagram, Dosanjh said that he had expected the ban, and described it as “inevitable.”
