A political controversy has emerged in Punjab after the film Satluj was withdrawn from an OTT service shortly after its July 3 launch. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has remained largely silent on the matter during a ten-day absence from the state, allowing his party to handle responses to opposition criticism.
The dispute began while the chief minister was admitted to a wellness facility in Bengaluru. Opposition groups including Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP have debated the movie, which portrays human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, and have exchanged accusations about the militancy era ahead of 2027 assembly polls. Mann has issued no statements on these exchanges.
His sole public message from outside the state urged citizens to finish the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls. He noted that missing names could affect access to welfare programmes such as the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana and encouraged eligible women to enrol.
While public attention stayed on the film, Mann focused messaging on voter registration and government schemes. Inside the ruling party, members reviewed possible effects of renewed attention on militancy, including any advantage for other groups, yet concluded that a strong reaction might only enlarge the issue.
Party spokespersons have addressed specific points. The state AAP chief said private screenings would not be blocked and that exhibition decisions rest with central authorities. An official also clarified that the current administration had not approved early release of convicts in the Khalra case.
Opposition parties have organised village screenings and questioned the timing of the film’s release and withdrawal. The AAP has chosen to keep its distance from the emotive topic while directing focus toward its welfare priorities.
