Dharamvira Gandhi condemns OTT removal of Satluj, calls it an attack on free expression

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Patiala, July 6

Patiala Member of Parliament Dr Dharamvira Gandhi has criticised the removal of Diljit Dosanjh’s Punjabi film Satluj from an OTT platform, calling the move “highly unfortunate” and alleging that it reflects an attempt to suppress artistic expression.

Speaking on the issue, Gandhi said the film made a modest effort to depict the circumstances in Punjab in 1995, so that younger generations could better understand that period of the state’s history. He questioned why, after the media, the government had now allegedly begun “strangling” the film industry as well.

He said it was even more unfortunate that a Punjabi film made by a Punjabi filmmaker was first banned and later removed from an OTT platform.

Referring to Punjab’s past, Gandhi claimed that the state had been under police rule for several decades. He also cited the recent alleged assault case involving Colonel Bath as an example of the prevailing situation.

Gandhi further alleged that around 25,000 young people were killed in police encounters and cremated as unidentified persons, describing it as a grave violation of human rights. He said these alleged incidents were brought to public attention by Jaswant Singh Khalra.

“I strongly condemn the government’s attitude on this issue,” Gandhi said.