The situation surrounding Diljit Dosanjh’s film Satluj is heating up. A public interest litigation (PIL) has been submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, questioning the film’s recent removal from the Zee5 streaming platform and calling for its return.
The PIL, filed by Sharwan Singh, lists the Union Government, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Punjab Government, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, and ZEE5 as respondents. It challenges the decision to remove Satluj, which tells the story of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Kalra, stating that there was no official order or legal reason for this action.
According to the petition, this removal violates the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression, as enshrined in Article 226 of the Indian Constitution. The explanation given for the film’s removal, citing “current circumstances,” is described as unclear and lacking specificity.
The PIL highlights the rights of those who pay for subscriptions, arguing that viewers deserve transparency regarding the film’s sudden withdrawal. Without clear reasons, paying subscribers feel unjustly left in the dark.
The petition emphasizes that Satluj is based on publicly available information and does not include any sensitive or confidential material. It also points out that similar issues have been addressed in various legal contexts, making the film’s content part of the public record.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court is expected to hear this case soon. Satluj, previously titled Punjab ’95, debuted on ZEE5 on July 3 after various challenges but was removed just two days later, prompting considerable discussion and criticism about the decision.
This unfolding drama continues to attract attention as the legal proceedings move forward.
