The Punjab Government, both the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP, who
have always stood for freedom of expression and fought for it, have been in for
a rude surprise when other political parties framed them for their SAD-BJP
Alliance in stalling the release of the Shahid Kapoor starrer - Udta Punjab.
The movie that revolves around the lives of ShahidKapoor,
KareenaKapoor, Alia Bhatt and DaljitDosanjh, set against a drug-infused state
of Punjab, has stirred chaos and controversy all over the country, as the
Central Board of Film Certification had declared a ban on the release of the
movie for showing Punjab in a fake and poor light.According to the Punjab
Deputy Chief Minister and ShiromaniAkali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, his
opponents are spreading lies and rumours about his government's involvement in
the ban, and claimed that such reports were a publicity stunt.
Rubbishing the Punjab Government' s influence on the CBFC, for
clearing the film with 13 cuts and an 'A' certificate, Sukhbir said that the
government has nothing to do with it as countless movies are produced for
commercial purposes and it is the CBFC's call to allow its release or not.The
film sure has various vulgar scenes, bad abusive language and insulting
comments towards the state of Punjab like, Punjabis are ‘kanjar’ and their land
is ‘banjar’ (barren). These are the reasons as to why the CBFC considered the
film unfit for public release. According to the Deputy CM, he would not
pre-judge the issue before the film was out in the market. As the Punjab
Government always supports social and psychological issues that attempt to
correct the distorted picture of society and culture.Having identified the
drug-issue prevalent in Punjab a long time back, and taking various measures to
curb it, the Punjab Government is in all favour of the movie and provides
thematic support to the all-out war against drugs.
Ready to welcome the movie and even support similar films if portrayed
accurately, the government and ruling alliance had nothing to do with the ‘Udta
Punjab’ controversy as their name is being dragged into the row for vested
interests.Projecting Punjab as a drug state is unfortunate as Punjab has been fighting
a war on drugs for which the supply line with its roots emanating from across
the border is being busted with help of paramilitary forces. Instead of
supporting the government with their mission, authorities have been pointing
fingers at them.
Highlighting the importance of awareness of ill effects of drugs, the
government expressed their concern and advised parents to spend quality time
with their children and a keep an eye on them as any temptation towards drug
abuse can be caught in the initial stages and steps to prevent further use can
be taken. The government also pleads that their mission alone cannot make
Punjab a drug-free state unless and until stakeholders of the society pitch in
to root out the menace from the state.
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