Bittu says Punjab’s past must not be shaped by selective narratives

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Chandigarh, July 12

Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu has criticised the makers of Diljit Dosanjh’s film Satluj, saying Punjab’s painful history should not be presented through selective narratives or disputed claims portrayed as established facts.

Bittu challenged the filmmakers to produce documentary evidence supporting the figure of 25,000 missing or illegally cremated bodies referenced in the film. He said claims of such significance should be backed by credible and verifiable records rather than presented as confirmed historical fact.

“Truth must prevail over propaganda, facts over fiction, and evidence over emotion,” Bittu said while calling for greater accountability in the portrayal of historical events.

The minister also questioned what he described as the film’s selective depiction of Punjab’s past. He said the sacrifices made by Punjab Police personnel, security forces and civilians affected by terrorism deserved equal recognition. According to Bittu, the suffering of victims of terrorist violence should not be overlooked while recounting the state’s history.

Bittu, the grandson of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, indicated that legal and constitutional options could be considered if historical facts were found to have been misrepresented.

The controversy surrounding Satluj has drawn political and public attention in Punjab. Sikh organisations, including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the Shiromani Akali Dal, have opposed the film’s removal and argued that it highlights an important chapter in the state’s history. Community screenings have also been organised at several locations across Punjab.

The debate continues to generate discussion over how Punjab’s turbulent past should be represented in cinema and public discourse.