Chandigarh, July 7 — The Aam Aadmi Party has sharply criticized the abrupt deletion of the biographical film Satluj from a digital streaming service, describing the action as a calculated political move to prevent the public from learning about past human rights violations.
During a press briefing, AAP Punjab Media Incharge Baltej Pannu stated that cinematic storytelling remains a critical tool for educating the younger generation about historical milestones. He noted that the film, which tracks the documentation of thousands of unidentified cremations by activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, had already undergone multiple title changes and severe delays before being pulled within forty-eight hours of its digital release.
Baltej Pannu asserted, “This is not merely about one film. It is about whether the people in power want to erase Punjab’s history. If films based on historical facts are not allowed to reach the public, do BJP and Congress want to trap the younger generation in WhatsApp propaganda instead of allowing them to know the truth?”
The media chief maintained that the content directly implicates previous administrations that governed during the militancy era and periods of central rule. He declared that traditional rival parties are working in tandem because the cinematic depiction of these events exposes uncomfortable truths regarding institutional accountability.
The party also challenged the historical record of regional political groups. Pannu referenced past testimonies from the activist’s widow, who stated that requests for administrative assistance were dismissed by regional leaders at the time, who instead advised the family to move on.
Baltej Pannu declared, “The story of Jaswant Singh Khalra is the story of a brave human rights defender who stood for truth despite enormous risks. Removing a film cannot erase history. Truth cannot be buried by censorship.” He concluded by calling for the immediate restoration of the broadcast.
