Punjab’s hard-earned peace should not be endangered: RS MP Vikramjit Sahney

Chandigarh, July 13 (IANS) Saying that Punjab’s hard-earned peace should not be endangered by uncalled narratives, Rajya Sabha (RS) MP Vikramjit Sahney on Monday said he was deeply pained by the recent “discourse surrounding the film Satluj”.

He said in a statement that the film portrays a specific chapter of Punjab’s history relating to disappearances, fake encounters, extra-judicial killings and illegal cremations without informing the kith and kin.

He said any film based on historical events should be viewed as an artistic interpretation of a particular subject and must not become a means of reopening old wounds or creating fresh divisions.

Sahney said it is well established that Jaswant Singh Khalra pursued the issue of disappearances and illegal cremations only through constitutional and legal means, including filing habeas corpus petitions before courts.

He added that the Supreme Court of India and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took cognizance of these issues, the CBI registered 62 cases for investigation, and his own abduction and murder ultimately led to the conviction of Punjab Police officials by a court of law.

Sahney said the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Satluj is a film centred on one specific chapter of Punjab’s history concerning alleged human rights violations, and that it is not ‘Punjab Files’, nor does it seek to present the entire history of terrorism and militancy in Punjab.

He added that equally, neither Diljit Dosanjh nor the makers of the film have sought to justify terrorism or diminish the immense suffering caused by militancy, which claimed the lives of thousands of innocent civilians, security personnel and public servants during Punjab’s darkest years.

Sahney remarked that now that every Punjabi has had the opportunity to watch the film, the debate should be allowed to rest rather than reopen old wounds or relitigate the past.

He added that, instead, they should learn from these dark chapters of their history to strengthen justice and preserve the social harmony essential to a progressive and peaceful Punjab.

–IANS

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