Satluj Row Sparks Political Storm After OTT Removal
July 06, 2026 04:53 PM IST

Satluj Row Sparks Political Storm After OTT Removal

Ananya Lohia , Punjab - The sudden removal of Diljit Dosanjh's Satluj from an OTT platform has ignited a major political controversy in Punjab. The film, based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was taken down just two days after its release, triggering sharp reactions from political leaders and Sikh organisations.

Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal called the move an attack on truth, history and freedom of expression, saying Punjab's painful past should be confronted, not erased. Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira and AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang also criticised the decision, questioning why films on other sensitive subjects are allowed while Satluj was removed without explanation.

The film portrays the life of Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed the illegal cremation of thousands of unidentified bodies in Punjab before he was abducted and murdered in 1995. The movie had already faced years of censorship, with reports of the CBFC seeking 127 cuts before its eventual release. ZEE5 later announced that Satluj would remain unavailable in India until further notice while exploring legal options to restore it.

As the controversy grows, demands are mounting for the film's immediate reinstatement. Leaders across party lines insist that history cannot be hidden through censorship, making Satluj not just a film, but the centre of a nationwide debate on free speech, historical truth and justice.

TV 19 Network NEWS FEED

Iran, US and Oman ‘close’ to Hormuz deal: What each side wants

Iran, US and Oman ‘close’ to Hormuz deal: What eac...

Iran, Oman and the U.S. are reportedly close to a Strait of Hormuz agreement tha...

Iran Retaliates After U.S. Airstrikes Kill 14, Khamenei Burial Delayed

Iran Retaliates After U.S. Airstrikes Kill 14, Kha...

Fresh U.S. airstrikes in Iran reportedly killed 14 people, prompting Iranian ret...

Trump says he’s Iran’s No. 1 target after Air Force One blinds were shut

Trump says he’s Iran’s No. 1 target after Air Forc...

President Donald Trump claimed he is Iran’s “No. 1 target” after security measur...

West Asia war : Three killed in U.S. strikes in western Iran

West Asia war : Three killed in U.S. strikes in we...

Three people were killed in U.S. strikes in western Iran as tensions escalated f...

Trump says Iran ceasefire is over

Trump says Iran ceasefire is over

President Donald Trump said the Iran ceasefire is “over” following fresh U.S. st...