Controversy over ‘Udta Punjab’ harms more to SAD,BJP than the film itself

CHANDIGARH : The controversy over bollywood movie ‘Udta Punjab’-made on drug problem in Punjab- has done more damage to the ruling SAD-BJP alliance than the film could do, thanks to Central Board of Film Certification.It is widely beleived that SAD, the ruling Badal family to be precise, was scared of political damage movie can do when assembly elections are just six months away, possibly in January or February 2017. The Badal family understood to have used its political clout in the NDA government to influence the authorities of Censor Board to block the movie in its present form. The Censor Board and revision panel have made
unrealistinc demands of 89 cuts and removing the word Punjab from the name of the movie.
Shaheed Kapoor,Karina,Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Daljit Dosanjh starrer ‘Udta Punjab’ is slated for release on June 17. The film is all about youth addicted to drugs and probabely showing a mirror to the preprators of drug menace in Punjab.The ruling SAD leaders were already facing stigma of shielding the drug mafia and with this controversy BJP has earned the blot of protecting the tainted partners. Some of Akali Dal ministers were summoned by the Enforcement Directorate to investigate their role in Hawala racket related to drug trade. The name of Bikarm Singh Majithia revenue minister and close relative of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had. cropped up prominently in the synthetic drug racket when the drug lord Jagdish Bhola (a former cop) named Majithia as kingpin of the drug trade in Punjab.
The ruling SAD has taken the stand that no drug menace existed in Punjab, the film on the issue is an attempt to defame Punjab. Sanjay Singh senior leader of AAP who is consistently highlighting the drug issue in Punjab has said that it is not film that would defame Punjab but it is Majithia who is defaming the state.
Before the Censor Board stalled the release of ‘Udta Punjab’ the ruling SAD was coining with the idea of banning the screening of movie in Punjab. As it would have attracted anger of the people and taking BJP into the loop was more convinient wayout. In the process the BJP and Censor Board had also lost their credibility and earned ire of the film makers and intellectuals. Punjab Government had on earlier occassion banned the screening of some movies made on Sikh issues on the plea of threat to peace in Punjab. The BJP and other Hindu organisations had objected to screening of movies like Shaheed Sukha-Jinda made on assassins of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Punjab Government and BJP at center are trying to curtail the freedon of expression for their political convinience which is unfortunate and dangerous trend. The Censor Board is giving certificate to many mvies full of violence and sex but putting brakes to a realistic movie highlighting a genuine problem of society. Since Punjab is more effected than other states, using the name of Punjab shall not be seen as an attemot to defame the state. BJP must not fall prey to demands by SAD to halt the release of ‘Udta Punjab’. BJP had already failed to oppose the SAD on the issue of drugs though it was expected by its cadre that senior party leaders would confront the SAD on drug problem. BJP leaders must come clean on the issue in the interest of people of Punjab. If a discease would not be diagnosed, how it can be treated ?