The ban on the screening of Punjabi film 'Sadda Haq' has sparked a fierce debate between different groups in the state with some seeing the order as a violation of rights while others welcome it as a move aimed at preserving peace.
Members of several Sikh organisations held protests yesterday in Jalandhar demanding that the ban be withdrawn on the film which deals with militancy in Punjab.
The protesters also submitted a memorandum to Assistant District Collector Parneet Bhardwaj demanding that the film be cleared for screening.
On the other hand, Hindu groups, including Shiv Sena, have hailed the government's decision to ban the film.
"It was with great difficulty that peace returned to Punjab; it is the duty of the people and the (state) government to preserve it," said Vinay Jalandhari, the northern India head of Shiv Sena.
Protests for and against the film were also witnessed in Phagwara district.
The film which has been banned in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh as well as in Delhi, is deemed to have glorified the Khalistani movement and militant leaders like Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
The film's producer, Kuljinder Sidhu, has meanwhile said that the ban "made a mockery of democracy and was a violation of the freedom of expression".
