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Jalandhar, July 9
Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu on Thursday rejected allegations by opposition leaders that the BJP or the Central Government was responsible for the removal of the film Satluj from OTT platform ZEE5. He described the claims as baseless and politically motivated. Speaking after inspecting the redeveloped Jalandhar Cantt railway station along with officials of the Ferozepur Division, Bittu said the film is based on events that took place when both Punjab and the Centre were under Congress rule. He said linking the BJP to the controversy has no factual basis.
The minister said Punjab’s history should be viewed in its entirety rather than through selective narratives. He also clarified that OTT platforms operate under a regulatory framework different from that for theatrical film releases, and that decisions regarding the hosting or removal of content are made by the platforms according to their editorial, legal, and commercial policies. Bittu said government certification provisions primarily apply to theatrical releases, while digital streaming platforms function under separate legal rules. He maintained that attributing the removal of Satluj from ZEE5 to the BJP or the Central Government is neither legally nor factually justified.
Referring to the militancy period in Punjab, Bittu said any discussion on that chapter of history must acknowledge the suffering of thousands of innocent civilians, police personnel, public servants, elected representatives and ordinary families affected by terrorism. He reiterated that militancy has no religion and said violence should never be glorified or associated with any community or faith.
The Union minister said the government led by former Chief Minister Beant Singh inherited a state devastated by years of terrorism and worked to restore peace, law and order and democratic governance. He added that the return of normalcy and the revival of democratic institutions deserve equal recognition in Punjab’s history. Bittu said history should be debated in a democratic society, but such discussions must be based on facts, evidence, and a balanced historical perspective rather than misinformation or political narratives.
He added that Punjab’s future should remain focused on development, employment, education and social harmony rather than reopening old divisions. The film, originally titled Punjab 95, is based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra and was released on ZEE5 as Satluj on July 3, after more than three years of pending certification. It was removed from the platform on July 5. Several political parties and Sikh organizations have criticized the decision, alleging that it suppresses an important chapter of Punjab’s history.
Directed by Honey Trehan, the film chronicles Khalra’s investigation into the cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab between 1984 and 1994. Khalra disappeared in 1995. In 2005, four Punjab Police personnel were convicted in connection with his abduction and murder, and their sentences were later enhanced to life imprisonment by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
