The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has defended the Punjabi film "Satluj" while accusing the BJP, Congress, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) of political negligence [1].
The dispute centers on the portrayal of human-rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. Because the film highlights Khalra's legacy, the controversy has become a flashpoint for political parties in Punjab to contest their respective records on human rights and historical memory [1, 2].
AAP leaders said that the rival parties are ignoring the memory of Khalra, whose work documenting disappearances is central to the narrative of the film [1]. The party's defense of the movie serves as a broader critique of the BJP, Congress, and SAD, suggesting these entities have failed to honor the activist's contributions to justice in the region [1].
This tension arrives as political friction increases between the AAP government and the SAD. The controversy coincides with a push by Sukhbir Badal to launch a "Dharam Yudh Morcha" against the administration of Bhagwant Mann [2].
AAP has positioned its support for "Satluj" as a stand against alleged censorship and political opposition. By linking the film's success to the preservation of Khalra's legacy, the party aims to frame its opponents as indifferent to the suffering of victims of human rights abuses [1].
The film focuses on the life and work of Jaswant Singh Khalra, who is credited with uncovering the fate of thousands of missing persons in Punjab. AAP said that the attempt to stifle or oppose the film is an attempt to erase that history [1].
“The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has defended the Punjabi film "Satluj".”
The conflict over "Satluj" reflects the deep-seated historical grievances in Punjab, where the memory of the 1980s and 90s continues to be used as a political tool. By championing a film about Jaswant Singh Khalra, AAP is attempting to claim the moral high ground on human rights issues to weaken the influence of traditional rivals like the SAD and Congress.
