Panjab 95, a film based on the life and legacy of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, was scheduled for worldwide release on February 17 but has been blocked by Central Board of Film Certification ostensibly due to concerns over public unrest.
Starring Diljit Dosanjh, the global Punjabi rapper who has challenged Hindutva groups like the Bajrang Dal in his public concerts, the film narrates Khalra’s courageous fight to expose the disappearance of thousands of allegedly innocent young men in Punjab in the 1980s and 1990s, during the crackdown by the state against armed insurgents. However, the film has been blocked despite India’s constitutional commitment to uphold freedom of expression.
This selective censorship raises important questions, as it is essential to upholding justice, democratic discourse and an honest questioning of history. CBFC has previously allowed the release of films such as The Kashmir Files, a controversial film which claimed to depict the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, Article 15, which addressed caste-based discrimination, Madras Cafe, which explored the Sri Lankan civil war and Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, and Shahid, which told the story of a lawyer defending those falsely accused of terrorism. These films, while sometimes one-sided and flawed, contributed to national conversations. In contrast, Panjab 95, a film based on well-documented facts, faces suppression.
Also read: Diljit Dosanjh’s Panjab ’95 Release Delayed Indefinitely
Jaswant Singh Khalra is often hailed as a messiah for human rights – someone who dared to speak truth to power, and his loss is not just personal but a collective void. Khalra’s name resonates with the struggles of a community and the relentless courage it takes to expose the excesses of state authority. Punjab’s history has witnessed countless moments where human rights were trampled upon without a thought for the consequences, decisions taken by those in power that continue to haunt generations past, present and future.
Diljit Dosanjh in a scene from the unreleased film Panjab ‘95. Photo: Screengrab of video from Instagram/@diljitdosanjh
Born in the village of Khalra in Tarn Taran, Khalra emerged as a beacon of truth during one of the darkest chapters in Punjab’s history – the insurgency of the 1980s and 1990s. While the Punjab Police and the government at the time claimed to be combating terrorism, their actions often crossed the bounds of excess and justice. Innocent lives were caught in the crossfire, tortured, and killed under the guise of law enforcement. Khalra uncovered a horrifying truth: the illegal murders of 25,000 people by the Punjab police, killed in fake encounters, and cremated in secrecy without even notifying their families.
Khalra’s relentless pursuit of justice for these nameless victims came at a heavy price. He, too, was abducted by the police and killed – he was last seen on September 6, 1995, washing his car in the front of his house – later six Punjab Police officials were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for Kalra’s abduction and murder.
The selective restriction of Panjab 95
Jaswant Singh Khalra’s story is not just about the past – it is about the ongoing struggle for justice, truth, and human rights today. His work uncovered the mass disappearances of innocent people, a truth that is already publicly available in court records, media reports, and human rights documentation. The refusal to release this film suggests a discomfort with certain narratives, particularly those that challenge state actions.
Also read: ‘Panjab ‘95’: CBFC Increases Cuts in Khalra Biopic, Asks Dosanjh’s Character to Be Renamed
The irony is glaring: information about Khalra’s work is readily available. If the truth about his life and sacrifices is not too incendiary for print or digital media, why is a film on him deemed dangerous? Over the years, countless articles and reports have detailed the atrocities he exposed. But when filmmakers attempt to bring the same narrative to a larger audience through cinema, they are censored.
Bibi Paramjeet Kaur Khalra at her residence in Amritsar. Photo: Kamaldeep Singh.
This selective censorship raises uncomfortable questions. On one hand, films that glorify government actions, even with deliberate agendas, are celebrated. Such productions are often endorsed at the highest levels, with political leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending their screenings. On the other hand, films like Panjab 95 – grounded in truth and reflecting the voices of the common people – are silenced. This dichotomy highlights the fragile state of our democratic ideals, where uncomfortable truths are still swept under the rug
Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra: A voice of resilience
In a recent telephonic conversation, Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra, Jaswant Singh Khalra’s wife, expressed disappointment over the film’s ban. She explained that their family had granted permission for the film, as it contains information that is already publicly available. “We have shown nothing more and nothing less than the truth,” she said.
She emphasised that the film sheds light on the killings of innocent youths in fake encounters during the 1990s – a fact that has been acknowledged even by courts. The work of Jaswant Singh Khalra, she asserted, stands above reproach. “His legacy is rooted in truth, and no one can challenge his dedication to justice.”
However, on Diljit Dosanjh’s portrayal of Khalra, Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra expressed her satisfaction. “Diljit has done his work wholeheartedly. I am confident he has done justice to the role and to the man Jaswant Singh Khalra was,” she remarked.
Despite the delays, she remains hopeful that Panjab 95 will one day see the light of day.
Truth
The struggle to release Panjab 95 is a testament to the power of storytelling. It highlights how cinema can challenge entrenched narratives, bringing suppressed truths to the forefront. Jaswant Singh Khalra’s story is not just about the past – it is a reminder of the courage it takes to stand against injustice and the price one often pays for it.
For a society to heal, it must confront its truths, no matter how uncomfortable. The release of Panjab 95 would not only honour Jaswant Singh Khalra’s memory but also reaffirm our commitment to democratic ideals and the pursuit of justice.
Until then, his legacy lives on – not just in court records and journalistic accounts, but in the hearts of those who believe in truth, justice, and the unshakable power of humanity.